T 


ASAPH : 

AN    HISTORIC    NOVEL 


American  Butbors'  Scries,  1Flo.  33. 


ASAPH: 


AN    HISTORICAL    NOVEL 


RV 


ALICE  KINGSBURY  COOLEY, 


NEW   YORK: 

I'xiTKD  STATED  HOOK  COMPANY, 

surCKSsniis  TO 

.1  O  IT  X    W  .    L  O  V  E  L  L   C  O  M  P  A  X  Y  , 

142  TO  150  WORTH  STKEET. 


COPYRIGHT,  1890, 

US- 
UNITED  STATKS   BOOK   COMPANY. 


TO 

MRS.  MARGARET  E    CROCKER, 

THE     FRIEND     OP     LITERATURE     AND     ART, 
THIS  LITTLE  VOLUME   IS 

AFFECTIONATELY    DEDICATED 

BY   THE  AUTHOR, 

ALICE   K1NGSBURY   COOLY. 


AS  APH. 

CHAPTER  I. 

AN   OFFERING   TO   MOLOCH. 

JERUSALEM  lay  golden  in  the  sun — a  thing  of  beauty 
standing  high  upon  her  hills  for  all  the  world  to  see,  to 
love,  to  worship.  A  soft  haze  hung  over  her,  as  it  were 
the  Protecting  cloud,  diffused  and  softened,  reaching  to 
her  furthest  gates,  that  all  her  thrice-blessed  children 
might  know  that  Jehovah  still  was  near,  that  His  love, 
though  bruised  and  hurt,  still  clung  to  His  chosen  people. 

The  streets  and  houses  were  decorated  for  a  great  festi 
val.  The  people  attired  in  magnificent  garments  of  pur 
ple,  scarlet,  blue,  and  gold,  profusely  embroidered:  the 
women  with  veils,  golden  head-pieces,  nose-rings,  brace 
lets,  tinkling  anklets,  and  strings  of  precious  ornaments 
completely  covering  their  breasts;  the  maidens  and  chil 
dren  in  pure  white  intwined  with  wreaths  and  flowers  and 
trailing  vines,  were  all  wending  their  way  to  join  in  the 
great  procession,  for  this  was  a  day  of  rejoicing.  King 
Jehoiakim's  beautiful  young  wife*  had  safely  borne  him  a 
daughter,  and  there  was  to  be  an  offering  given  to  the 

*  Among  the  Hebrews  tlie  mother  of  the  king  was  termed  the 
queen. 


8  ASA  PH. 

great  god  Moloch  by  way  of  thanks,  and  for  intercession 
and  protection  for  the  new-born  princess. 

It  was  to  be  no  common  offering,  taken  from  its  too 
willing  parents'  arms,  that  through  its  immolation  honor 
might  accrue  to  them. 

No,  it  was  to  be  the  most  beautiful  child  in  Jerusalem, 
nay,  in  all  -Judea — a  boy  fairer  yet  than  any  the  sun  had 
ever  shone  on,  a  descendant  of  the  "  sons  of  God,"  with  a 
complexion  so  radiant  and  hair  so  long  and  golden  that 
people  wondered  and  turned  thrice  to  look  at  him  even  in 
the  most  crowded  streets. 

The  imperious  powerful  high  priest  of  Moloch,  hearing 
of  the  boy,  had  visited  the  rich  widow  Ilelah,  the  wife  of 
Tola,  in  magnificent  state,  with  an  imposing  retinue. 
When  he  saw  the  boy  his  eyes  sparkled  and  the  blood 
suffused  his  dusky  face. 

"  Ah,  what  will  not  the  great  Moloch  do  for  me  for 
such  an  offering!"  he  thought,  so  he  unbended  from  his 
dignity,  and  became  so  soft  so  persuasive  that  che  boy 
was  fascinated  and  willingly  consented  to  embrace  the 
great  god.  The  victim  must  be  willing,  else  the  sacrifice 
would  be  in  vain. 

The  mother  was  terror-stricken  at  her  child's  consent 
ing,  and  was  as  one  made  dumb. 

When  the  great  day  arrived  the  boy  was  taken  from 
her  arms,  and  she  followed  like  a  pale  cold  statue. 

The  procession  moved:  first  came  the  mounted  guard 
of  Moloch,  in  golden  armor,  ruthlessly  riding  down  those 
who  in  the  least  obstructed  their  way,  then  came  the 
musicians  in  beautiful  vestments,  playing  on  the  instru- 


ASAPH.  9 

ments  that  King  David  had  invented  for  the  Temple  serv 
ice.  The  music  was  inspiring — so  martial,  so  grand,  that 
the  "offering"  was  in  ecstasy.  Next  came  the  priests, 
riding  in  the  golden  chariots  of  the  sun,  in  robes  so  mag 
nificent  that  increase  of  splendor  seemed  impossible,  yet 
when  the  high  priest  of  Moloch  appeared,  borne  aloft  on  a 
resplendent  throne,  the  grandeur  of  these  lesser  ones  sunk 
into  insignificance. 

Now  came  the  "  offering,"  robed  in  simple  white,  with 
limbs  and  neck  uncovered,  that  all  might  see  their  won 
drous  beauty,  a  wreath  of  golden  sunflowers  in  his  hair 
and  trailing  to  his  feet.  His  face  was  glorified;  and  as  he 
turned  his  eyes  to  heaven  he  seemed  as  if  he  had  but  just 
left  that  abode  of  angels. 

Next  came  King  Jehoiakim — young,  handsome,  but 
haughty,  and  with  a  cruel  look  upon  his  face.  He  was 
dressed  in  the  utmost  splendor,  as  were  those  of  his  retinue 
who  surrounded  him.  Then  came  the  princes  and  the 
rulers,  then  the  fighting  men  of  Judah,  men  of  magnifi 
cent  physique  and  courage;  the  nobles  and  heads  of  fami 
lies  followed,  interspersed  with  standard-bearers,  whose 
highly  colored  and  gilded  insignia  of  the  different  tribes 
added  to  the  beauty  of  the  whole;  then  followed  the  peo 
ple  dressed  in  holiday  attire — the  maidens  bearing  cakes, 
the  youths  golden  vases  of  wine. 

The  procession  ascended  the  broad  walls  by  a  temporary 
bridge  erected  for  the  occasion. 

As  it  neared  the  Gate  of  the  Fountain  the  music  in 
creased  in  inspiring  grandeur,  and  the  voices  of  the  men 
and  women  singers  filled  the  air  with  delicious  melody. 


10  ASAPH. 

The  trappings  of  the  stately  camels  glistened  in  the  sun: 
the  golden  armor  of  the  guards  threw  back  a  million  rays; 
the  precious  ornaments  of  the  women  reflected  the  glory 
of  their  "  god  "  in  innumerable  bright  colors;  and  Mo 
loch's  high  priest  was  almost  hidden  by  the  blaze  of  his 
many  jewels,  and  the  "  offering,"  in  his  simplicity,  ap 
peared  more  transcendently  beautiful  by  contrast. 

Suddenly  the  silver  trumpets  sounded  loudly,  and  the 
procession  countermarched  on  the  broad  wall.  It  was  in 
deed  a  pageant  of  which  any  city  might  well  be  proud. 

Slowly  it  descended  the  incline  prepared  expressly  by 
the  stairs  that  led  up  to  the  city  of  David,  then  it  passed 
through  the  Fountain  Gate,  over  the  bridge,  into  the  val 
ley  of  Hinnon. 

The  sun,  whom  they  worshiped  under  the  form  of  Mo 
loch  and  of  Baal,  seemed  to  smile  on  this  magnificent 
paraphernalia  of  their  devotion  to  him,  and  rose  higher 
and  higher  in  the  heavens,  and  brighter  and  warmer  be 
came  his  rays;  and  as  a  cloud  that  momentarily  obscured 
his  light  passed  from  his  face  the  vast  multitude  broke  out 
in  joyous  shouts  and  song,  the  earth  trembled  with  the 
sound,  and  the  walls  of  Jerusalem  repeated  the  glad  cries 
and  songs  and  sent  them  back  from  every  angle  and  every 
tower  till  the  whole  valley  was  full  of  triumphant  melody. 

The  procession  approached  the  grove  in  a  long  sinuous 
line,  like  a  great  golden  serpent  Hashing  in  the  sun.  As 
it  neared  the  place  of  sacrifice,  it  divided  into  two  im 
mense  masses,  leaving  a  wide  passage  for  the  "  offering. " 

For  a  moment  the  music  died  down  to  a  plaintive  wail, 
then  the  most  magnificent  of  the  golden  "  chariots  of  the 


ASAPF-  1] 

sun,"  drawn  by  a  line  of  glorious  milk-white  horses,  slow 
ly  carried  the  boy  Asaph  through  the  expectant  multitude. 

Suddenly  from  the  walls  of  the  king's  garden,  that  pro 
jected  so  far  into  the  valley  that  the  dying  cries  of  the 
"  offerings  "  could  be  plainly  heard,  a  priest  sounded  the 
silver  trumpet  loud  and  long;  the  immense,  exquisitely 
embroidered  curtains  of  the  grove  were  drawn  aside,  and 
there  stood  the  two  great  towers  of  fire,  blazing  out  on 
every  side,  and  flaring  far  up  into  the  air. 

The  high  priest  approached  the  chariot.  Asaph  stepped 
to  the  ground  and  made  obeisance  by  touching  the  earth 
with  his  forehead;  the  priest  took  his  hand,  and,  speaking 
to  him  softly,  led  him  nearer  to  the  fires;  suddenly  the 
music  burst  out  in  all  its  grandeur,  and  the  "  tophs  "  or 
drums  were  added,  sounding  loudly. 

Asaph  advanced  fearlessly;  the  high  priest  laid  his  hand 
upon  h's  head,  and  he  was  ready  for  the  sacrifice.  Hun 
dreds  of  priests  swung  high  their  glittering  golden  censers, 
filling  the  air  vyith  dense  clouds  of  aromatic  perfume;  the 
maidens  placed  their  cakes  on  little  altars  to  be  consumed 
by  the  fierce  fires;  the  youths  poured  out  their  libations  of 
wine  to  be  lapped  up  by  the  flames;  louder  and  louder- 
sung  the  singers,  deeper  rolled  the  drums. 

The  music  had  reached  its  utmost  glory  and  the  multi 
tude  was  burning  with  religious  frenzy  when  suddenly  a 
woman's  voice  rang  high  above  all  other  sounds: 

"Stay  the  sacrifice!  The  'offering'  is  impure!  He 
will  pollute  your  altars;  he  is  not  the  child  of  my  dead 
husband.  I — am — an — adulteress!" 

Simultaneously   the  inner   curtains  were  drawn   aside, 


12  ASAPH. 

and  the  hideous  figure  of  Moloch,  with  his  great  calf's 
head,  stood  revealed.  Asaph  hesitated  with  a  look  of  hor 
ror.  The  high  priest  urged  him  forward  as  fresh  fuel  was 
thrown  upon  the  braziers;  the  flames  burst  out  with 
greater  fierceness,  caught  his  golden  hair,  and  touched  his 
tender  cheek;  he  heard  his  mother's  cry,  and  with  a  shriek 
of  agony  he  rushed  into  her  arms. 

She  turned  and  fled.  For  a  moment  the  multitude  was 
silent  with  astonishment;  but  the  high  priest  trembled 
with  his  rage. 

"  The  sacrifice  so  near  completed,  and  yet —  Stone  the 
impious  adulteress!  Stone  them!"  he  cried,  and  the  vast 
multitude  took  up  the  cry. 

"Stone  them!  Stone  them!"  And  fast  and  furious 
flew  the  cruel  stones  to  avenge  the  insult  to  their  slighted 
god. 

But  the  widow  Helah  fled  toward  the  thorn  bushes  that 
grew  high  above  her  head,  but  her  large  and  strong 
widow's  veil,  spreading  in  her  flight,  caught  upon  the 
thorns,  and  was  held  there  fast  and  firm. 

"  Aha!  thus  does  the  great  Moloch  avenge  his  honor!" 
cried  the  high  priest,  exultantly.  And  the  multitude  took 
up  the  cry. 

"  For  the  great  Moloch's  honor!"  and  the  stones  were 
larger,  and  flew'faster,  and  struck  harder. 

At  length  even  the  fury  of  the  high  priest  was  spent, 
and  gradually  the  shower  of  stones  grew  less;  then  as 
silence  fell  upon  the  multitude,  it  entirely  ceased. 

As  their  frenzy  cooled,  pity  began  to  arise  in  some  of 
their  breasts;  the  soft  god -like  sentiment  rarely  ever 


ASAPH.  13 

touched  the  iron  hearts  of  these  men  of  war  whose  hands 
had  been  steeped  in  blood  nearly  ever  since  they  had  first 
entered  the  Promised  Land. 

But  Asaph  was  the  fairest  child  in  Jerusalem,  and  they 
dreaded  to  tear  the  veil  aside  and  to  see  his  perfect  form, 
his  golden  hair,  his  glorious  beauty  batlied  in  blood  and 
lifeless  from  their  cruel  fury,  so  they  hesitated,  then  ap 
proached  nearer,  paused,  advanced  again;  still  no  one 
dared  to  draw  the  veil  aside. 

Nearer  and  nearer  they  came — no  sound  was  heard,  not 
even  a  groan  from  the  victim  nor  a  moan  from  the  moth 
er.  Nearer  and  nearer — the  tension  of  their  nerves  was 
terrific. 

At  length  the  high  priest,  to  break  the  spell,  put  hit 
hand  upon  the  veil;  in  a  moment  he  had  torn  it  from  the 
detaining  thorns,  and  there  upon  the  cruel  rocks  was — 
nothing! 

A  sigh  of  relief  went  up  from  the  people.  Then  the 
high  priest  cried: 

"She  has  escaped!  The  impious  adulteress!"  and  a 
mighty  shout  of  mingled  rage  and  joy  rent  the  air. 


14  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  II. 

JERUSALEM. 

NIGHT  had  fallen  on  Jerusalem — soft,  radiant,  glorious. 
The  excitement  of  the  day  had  been  intense.  Many  op 
posing  sentiments  had  been  evoked  by  the  priests'  pro 
ceedings — fury,  malice,  pity,  sympathy,  and  condemnation 
— for  there  were  still  many  who  clung  to  the  old  faith  in 
the  god  of  their  fathers,  the  mighty  Jehovah;  their  curses 
on  the  idolaters  were  deep  and  strong,  but  being  few  in 
comparison  to  the  vast  multitude  who  had  gone  astray, 
they  grieved  in  secret,  and  put  dust  and  ashes  on  their 
heads  and  rent  their  garments  for  the  sins  of  their 
brothers. 

The  populace,  excited  by  the  high  priest  and  his  satel 
lites,  had  done  dastardly  work  on  their  return  from  the 
grove,  and  had  the  widow  and  Asaph  fallen  into  their 
hands  their  lives  had  not  been  worth  a  hair's  value. 

The  magnificent  stairway  built  by  Solomon,  which  had 
so  astonished  the  Queen  of  fSbeba  "  that  there  was  no  more 
heart  in  her,"  that  led  down  from  the  city  of  David  into 
the  Tyropean  Valley,  then  up  again  to  the  Temple  mount, 
and  once  only  was  used  by  the  kings  and  princes,  had  been 
crowded  by  early  morning,  until  the  stars  shone,  by  those 
of  the  peaceably  inclined  citizens  and  strangers  who  wished 
to  see  somewhat  of  the  progress  of  events,  yet  to  keep 
themselves  from  any  entanglement  therein.  Yet  they  too 


ASAPH.  15 

were  excited  and  anxious,  not  knowing  what  wild  deeds 
the  mob  might  do  led  on  by  the  baffled,  infuriated  priests 
of  Moloch. 

Jeremiah  had  called  again  and  again  to  the  people  from 
the  new  gate  of  the  Temple,  but  they  had  only  laughed 
and  answered  him  with  jeers. 

The  vacant  places  by  the  gates,  where  the  kings  were 
wont  to  receive  petitions  and  sit  in  judgment,  had  been 
iiiled  most  of  the  day  by  strangers  drawn  hither  to  be 
present  at  the  ceremonies  of  worship,  and  to  enjoy  the 
bounty  of  the  king,  his  "  sacrifices  "  of  bread  and  wine 
and  fruit  that  were  freely  furnished  to  all. 

Here  they  had  gossiped  and  eat  their  meat,  drinking 
wine  and  water  out  of  graceful  jugs  and  vases;  the  water 
they  had  drawn  from  the  beautiful  pools  and  fountains 
that  were  scattered  over  the  city. 

But  now  those  who  had  come  from  a  distance  had  gone 
to  their  tents  outside  the  walls,  and  those  who  lived  near 
had  returned  to  their  own  cities  or  villages,  and  at  last  the 
citizens  themselves  had  retired  to  their  houses — those  who 
lived  in  the  deep  valleys,  of  which  there  were  several  in 
Jerusalem — to  pass  the  night  upon  their  roofs  to  catch 
what  breeze  they  could,  those  who  lived  on  the  pleasauter 
heights  to  sleep  in-doors. 

The  gates  of  Jerusalem  were  closed  and  firmly  locked 
for  the  night.  Peace  settled  down  upon  her  people,  and 
only  the  watchmen  on  her  walls  were  awake,  and  cried: 

"  All's  well!" 


16  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER    III. 

ASAPH  AND   HIS    MOTHER. 

HKLAH  had  stopped  the  sacrifice,  being  frantic  with 
agony  and  fear  at  the  thought  of  losing  her  loved  boy — 
her  all;  but  when  he  was  in  her  arms  again  she  knew  no 
fear  of  priest  or  god,  thought  only  of  escape  and  life  for 
her  child;  so  when  the  thorns  caught  her  in  her  ilight,  she 
quickly  detached  the  veil  from  her  head,  and  left  it  hang 
ing  there— the  thought  flashing  through  her  mind  how  it 
might  deceive  and  delay  her  pursuers. 

Under  its  cover  she  penetrated  further  and  further  into 
the  thicket,  scratched  and  bleeding,  but  safe;  she  did  not 
pause  for  fatigue — a  mother's  love  gave  her  strength  to 
carry  the  heavy  boy. 

Further  and  further  up  the  valley  she  pushed  her  way 
till  the  voices  at  the  grove  died  into  silence,  and  she  hav 
ing  passed  the  rock-hewn  tombs  was  in  a  part  frequented 
only  by  the  birds  and  beasts  of  the  forests;  then  she 
paused. 

Asaph,  though  fearless  and  of  glorious  courage,  was  still 
little  more  than  a  babe  in  years,  and  bodily  pain  caused 
him  the  same  anguish  as  it  would  another  child  of  such  a 
tender  age,  so  he  moaned  pitifully: 

"  My  mother!  oh,  my  mother!  the  pain!  the  pain!" 

For  the  first  time  she  looked  at  his  face — a  cruel  burn 


ASA  I'll.  17 

extending  from  his  temple  to  the  turning  of  his  chin.  She 
uttered  a  smothered  groan. 

"  Hush,  my  boy!  let  us  be  silent  that  the  cruel  priests 
may  not  find  us.  'Sh!  I  will  assuage  thy  pain."  She 
laid  him  on  the  soft  mossy  earth,  and  going  to  the  brook 
Kedron  that  rushes  swiftly  down  the  valley,  she  found  a 
little  pool  made  by  the  spray,  where  the  waters  were  at 
rest  and  soft  grass  grew  at  its  edge;  she  gathered  a  hand 
ful  and  saturating  it  with  the  cool  water,  she  hastened 
to  Asaph,  and  bound  it  on  his  face.  This  she  did  again 
and  again,  until  he  fell  into  a  deep  slumber,  broken  by 
quivering  sobs,  as  when  a  child  falls  to  sleep  crying. 

Helah  took  off  her  heavy  skirt  and  wrapped  it  around 
the  boy,  then  sitting  down  herself,  she  thought  what  it 
would  be  wisest  to  do  for  their  safety;  go  back  to  Jerusa 
lem  she  dared  not.  She  knew  the  vindictive  spirits  of  the 
priests  of  Moloch  and  of  Baal  would  cause  them  to  hunt 
her  from  the  face  of  the  earth;  she  even  feared  for  her 
relatives  and  friends,  lest  the  priests,  baffled  of  wreaking 
their  vengeance  on  her,  should  turn  and  rend  them. 

So  she  sat  thinking,  thinking,  till  the  shadows  grew 
longer  and  longer;  then  night  fell  and  she  was  safe  for  the 
present.  Her  heart  was  glad,  and  would  have  given 
thanks,  but  her  belief  in  Moloch  had  received  such  a  shock 
of  horror  that  she  could  not  frame  a  prayer  to  such  a 
cruel  god. 

Hunger  now  made  itself  felt — for  she  had  eaten  scarcely 
anything  since  she  had  known  her  boy  was  doomed;  so 
the  pains  were  sharp  and  cutting. 

She  arose  and  looked  about  her;  the  very  tree  against 


18  ASAPH. 

which  she  had  been  leaning  was  full  of  ripe  figs.  She 
could  easily  reach  those  on  the  lower  branches,  and  never 
did  food  taste  so  delicious. 

When  she  had  satisfied  her  hunger  and  drunk  from  the 
brook,  she  wrapped  herself  in  her  mantle  and  laid  down 
by  her  child. 

Sleep,  thou  tenderest  of  all  Jehovah's  gifts  to  man,  who 
can  sufficiently  sing  thy  praise? 

Pain,  anguish,  sorrow,  and  despair  are  soothed  into  ob 
livion  by  its  gentle  touch;  and  the  beggar  lying  on  the 
cold  marble  steps  and  the  king  in  his  ivory  bed  are  thus 
made  equal. 

For  awhile  Helah  was  the  happy  mother,  back  again  in 
Jerusalem,  in  her  beautiful  home,  with  kindred  and 
friends  around  her.  Little  Asaph,  too,  felt  no  more  the 
agony  of  his  burning,  and  the  quivering  sobs  finally  died 
away,  and  they  both  slept. 

But  grim  anguish  ever  hovers  on  the  border-land  of 
dreams,  ready  to  grasp  the  unhappy  the  moment  gentle 
sleep  relaxes  her  sweet  vigilance;  so  it  was  with  lEc-lah: 
while  the  stars  yet  shone  she  awoke  to  the  knowledge  of 
all  her  misery. 

The  child  still  slept.  What  should  she  do?  where  go? 
Alas!  she  had  no  one  to  counsel  her,  not  even  a  god  to 
whom  she  could  pray.  Moloch  had  become  abhorrent  to 
her  very  soul,  and  Jehovah,  the  God  of  her  childhood,  was 
so  far  off  and  so  dreadful  that  she  dared  not  approach  to 
Him  even  in  thought— she  feared  lest  lie  should  blaze 
forth  in  a  consuming  fire,  like  her  fathers  had  feared  be 
fore  her  in  Mount  Iloreb,  when  Moses  stood  between  them 


ASA  I'll.  19 

and  the  Lord,  lest  His  glory  should  blast  them.  So,  hav 
ing  neither  god  nor  man  to  turn  to,  that  wonderful  in 
stinct,  planted  in  all  female  kind,  from  the  smallest  bird 
to  the  great  behemoth,  from  the  rudest  savage  to  her  most 
enlightened  sister,  that  rich  pathetic  gift,  mother-love, 
supplied  all  other  needs. 

She  suddenly  thought,  with  a  stab  of  pain,  of  Asaph's 
tender  feel;  no  shoes,  no  covering  for  his  dainty  limbs, 
only  the  little  frail  white  robe  to  protect  him  from  the 
thorns  and  briers,  and  the  close-woven  thickets  in  which 
they  must  now  make  their  home. 

"  His  dear  little  feet  that  I  have  kissed  so  often,  they 
will  be  bruised  and  bleeding,  cut  by  sharp  stones  and  torn 
by  cruel  briers!  And  how  shall  I  protect  his  body  from 
the  scorching  sun  and  the  fierce  wind,  and  how  provide 
his  food,  the  dainty  one?  Oh,  how  shall  I  let  him  die  for 
lack  of  the  pure  white  milk!"  and  she  moaned  and  wrung 
her  hands. 

Asaph  awoke  at  the  sound,  and  cried: 

"  Oh,  my  mother,  I  have  had  such  a  bad  dream!  but — 
but  "—then  he  trembled  and  put  his  hand  to  his  face — 
"  oh,  how  it  pains!" 

"  Let  thy  mother  soothe  it.  Thou  wilt  not  be  afraid  to 
stay  alone  till  I  go  to  yonder  brook?" 

"  Nay,  1  do  not  fear;  but  bring  me  water  too,  my 
mother,  for  1  thirst. " 

Helah  hastened  to  the  Kedron  and  gathered  handf uls  of 
soft  grass,  and  moistened  it;  but  how  to  carry  water?  no 
shell  was  here,  or  vase,  or  cup,  or  even  broken  shred  of 


20  ASAPH. 

pottery.  She  looked  around  as  the  faint  light  stole  from 
the  east,  but  not  even  a  hollow  stone  was  near. 

Ah,  her  shoe!  Her  heart  leaped  with  joy  that  in  her  sor 
row  she  had  thrown  off  her  dainty  sandals  and  fine  clothes 
and  put  on  the  garments  of  them  that  mourn.  Quickly  she 
dipped  the  little  boat-shaped  leather  shoe  into  the  brook 
and  filled  it  with  clear  cold  water.  Then  hastening  to  her 
boy  she  said : 

"  Drink,  Asaph,  it  will  cool  the  fever  of  thy  hurt. " 

"  'Tis  good,  my  mother,"  he  said,  when  he  had  drunk 
till  none  remained. 

Then  llelah  bound  the  damp  grass  on  his  poor  burned 
cheek,  biting  her  lips  that  no  moan  should  escape  to  ag 
gravate  his  sufferings. 

"  Why  was  it,  my  mother?  what  had  I  done?  had  I  not 
gone  with  joy  to  embrace  the  great  god?  Then  why  did  the 
priest  urge  me  to  go  through  those  cruel  fires  to  that 
hideous  thing?" 

"  Hush  —  'sh!  my  boy!"  cried  Helah,  "  lest  the  great 
Moloch  hear  and  punish  thee." 

"  Mother,  it  was  not  alive;  it  did  not  move  even  at  my 
cry  of  pain  and  thine  of  anguish." 

"  'Sh — 'sh!"  ahe  whispered,  pressing  him  to  her  breast. 
"  Let  us  not  speak  of  him  lest  the  four  winds  carry  our 
words  to  his  ears,  and  in  his  anger  he  should  deliver  us 
into  the  hands  of  the  cruel  priests." 

That  silenced  Asaph;  for  since  the  horrible  yesterday 
the  form  of  the  high  priest  of  Moloch  was  the  impersona 
tion  of  all  that  was  dire  and  awful  to  his  young  imagina 
tion. 


ASA PH.  21 

"  See,  my  darling,  here  are  sweet  fresh  figs;  eat  but  a 
little — then  we  will  go." 

"  Home,  my  mother?" 

"  Nay;  wouldst  thou  fall  again  into  the  hands  of  them 
who  are  eager  to  slay  thee?  We  will  find  some  secure  cave 
in  the  friendly  wilderness  where  no  man  cometh,  and  there 
we  will  live,  my  son/' 

Then  Helah  rent  a  portion  from  her  heavy  mantle  and 
covered  Asaph  as  with  a  robe,  and  secured  it  with  the  jew 
eled  pins  that  fastened  her  own  clothes  underneath  her 
mourning  garments. 

After  again  partaking  of  the  ripe  figs,  she  tied  a  few  in 
the  corner  of  her  mantle,  then  carried  Asaph  to  the  brook, 
where  they  drank  of  the  water,  then  purified  themselves, 
and  so  were  ready  for  their  journey.  They  went  toward 
the  setting  suu  into  the  rocky  wilderness  to  the  west  of 
Jerusalem. 


22  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
A   MOTHER'S   LOVE 

ASAPH  tried  courageously  to  suppress  the  moans  of 
pain,  but  though  descended  from  the  sons  of  God,  the 
human  nature  of  his  mother's  blood  asserted  itself  so 
strongly  that  ever  and  anon  the  sobs  would  come,  and  his 
mother's  heart  felt  his  every  pain  intensified. 

"  Let  me  walk,  my  mother.  I  know  thy  arms  have 
grown  weary  with  rny  weight,"  Asaph  said  as  soon  as  they 
were  in  the  thicket  again,  with  the  great  trees  all  about 
them.  * 

"Yes,  my  child,  we  will  rest."  So  they  sat  down  on 
the  soft  moss,  and  the  birds  fluttered  above  their  heads, 
and  sung  so  sweetly  that  the  sounds  soothed  them  as  the 
music  of  the  Temple  in  Helah's  childhood  had  quieted  all 
her  maiden  sorrows. 

For  awhile  they  sat  speechless;  both  were  thinking — 
Asaph  in  his  childish  way  of  the  immediate  past,  she  of 
the  present,  which  to  her  meant  her  child.  Again  she 
took  him  in  her  arms  and  slowly  pressed  through  the 
thicket.  She  knew,  from  the  history  of  her  people,  that 
many  had  hidden  themselves  in  times  of  trouble  in  the 
rocky  caves  abounding  around  Jerusalem.  She  feared  to 
leave  Asaph  even  for  a  moment  to  search  alone,  lest  she 

*  These  were  not  yet  destroyed,  but  they  were  by  the  subsequent 
devastating  sieges,  of  which  Jersualem  had  many. 


ASA  PH.  23 

should  lose  sight  of  him  in  the  heavy  undergrowth,  or 
other  harm  should  befall  him,  so  her  search  was  slow  and 
wearisome.  She  kept  near  the  Kedron  so  as  to  moisten 
the  grass  on  Asaph's  cheek  and  to  give  him  drink,  for  the 
burn  had  caused  a  fever  to  arise. 

When  the  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens,  and  they  were 
faint  from  lack  of  food,  she  espied  an  aperture  in  the 
rocky  hill-side. 

"  But  should  there  be  wild  beasts  within!"  was  her 
thought.  "  My  darling,  I  will  go  first  and  see  that  there 
is  naught  therein  to  harm  thee.  Sit  there/'  and  she 
placed  him  on  the  rock  that  projected  over  the  low  en 
trance.  "  While  1  am  gone,  if  thou  seest  aught,  either 
man  or  beast,  lay  close  to  the  earth  and  draw  my  mantle 
over  thy  head."  Then  taking  a  sharp  rock  in  her  hand  in 
case  of  need,  she  stooped  and  entered. 

For  some  distance  she  could  not  stand  upright;  and 
after  leaving  the  light  that  streamed  in  the  entrance  she 
was  in  total  darkness,  so  she  proceeded  cautiously,  feeling 
every  step. 

"  If  I  only  had  a  light!"  she  murmured,  growing  dizzy 
with  the  darkness  and  hunger.  Suddenly  she  almost  fell, 
for  the  side  wall  ended  abruptly.  "  Perhaps  an  entrance 
to  another  cave,"  she  thought;  then  stepping  back,  she 
passed  her  hand  over  the  rocky  side,  and  when  she  came 
to  the  end  she  grasped  it  firmly,  put  her  head  forward,  and 
look  and  listened.  Not  a  sound — not  even  the  falling  of 
water-drops,  but  away  back  in  the  direction  she  had  come 
was  a  faint  light  entering  some  crevice  from  above. 

She  walked  toward  it  joyfully.     It  came  from  an  open- 


24  ASAPH. 

ing  almost  like  a  door,  which  she  entered,  and  found  her 
self  in  a  small  cave  within  a  cave,  quite  light  and  dry  and 
fresh-smiling.  She  felt  so  thankful — but  to  what?  to 
whom?  She  had  no  god  now;  and  the  feeling  coming 
back  again  upon  her  heart  oppressed  her  with  a  strange 
pain. 

She  looked  around.  No  evidence  of  man  or  animal, 
•and  so  secluded  they  would  be  surely  safe.  She  returned 
by  the  same  way,  and  her  eyes  seemed  to  be  able  to  pene 
trate  the  darkness  a  little  better;  and  she  found  the 
aperture  without  any  difficulty;  then  she  counted  her 
steps  to  the  entrance,  and  in  a  few  moments  Asaph  was  in 
her  arms. 

"  My  son,  be  not  afraid  of  the  darkness.  I  have  found 
a  safe  place  where  we  may  live,  away  from  these  cruel 
men." 

"  I  do  not  fear,  dear  mother;  but  I — I  am  so  hungry!" 
he  said,  the  tears  coming  into  his  voice,  despite  his  cour 
age. 

"  Be  patient;  wait  but  a  little." 

So  she  carried  him  into  the  cave,  counting  her  stepa; 
then,  as  they  turned  into  the  other,  where  the  light  shone, 
he  gave  a  little  cry  of  joy,  and  when  he  entered  the  room, 
he  smiled  and  said : 

''  osovv  they  can  not  get  me;  they  will  be  afraid  of  the 
dark!" 

Ifocks  projected  from  the  sides  and  lloor  that  served 
well  for  seats  and  tables.  They  sat  on  one. 

"  See,  my  boy,  here  are  figs;  eat  while  1  fetch  thee 
water.  })o  not  be  afraid,  even  if  I  am  absent  longer  than 


ASAPH.  25 

them  wishest,  and  do  not  attempt  to  follow  me  —  thou 
mightest  be  hurt  in  yonder  black  cave.  I  will  search  for 
food  for  thee.  Eat,  then  try  to  sleep." 

She  covered  him  with  the  remnant  of  her  mantle,  kissed 
him  tenderly,  then  cautiously  felt  her  way  back  into  the 


For  a  moment  she  shaded  her  eyes  with  her  hand  and 
stood  thinking.  Suddenly  she  remembered  a  beautiful 
garden  outside  of  Jerusalem  that  she  had  often  visited 
when  a  maiden,  the  possessor  being  a  distant  relative  of 
hers.  She  remembered  the  kind  law  that  the  God  of  her 
fathers  had  given  to  the  great  Moses  —  that  the  trees 
should  not  be  beaten  bare,  nor  the  vines  left  empty,  nor 
the  corn  stripped  wholly  from  the  fields  —  she  remembered, 
too,  that  all  growing  things  for  food  were  free  to  those 
who  hungered,  but  not  to  take  away  save  that  which  was 
left  on  purpose. 

So,  cautiously  but  as  quickly  as  she  could,  she  hastened 
toward  this  garden  of  life.  She  stopped  ever  and  anon 
and  listened,  for  the  sound  of  music  in  the  valley  would 
have  deterred  her  from  her  purpose,  and  Asaph  might  die 
of  hunger. 

No  sound  save  the  brambles  crunching  beneath  her  feet;- 
she  almost  held  her  breath  as  she  neared  the  awful  grove; 
she  was  faint  with  hunger  and  fear;  but  the  thought  of 
the  pleasant  garden  and  food  for  herself  and  child  nerved 
her  on.  Peering  through  the  thicket  she  saw  her  large 
strong  widow's  veil  —  if  she  could  but  obtain  it,  she  could 
carry  food  for  several  days,  and  use  it,  too^,  for  warmth  at 
night. 


26  AS  A  PH. 

Down  on  her  hands  and  knees  she  crept  nearer  and 
nearer;  still  no  sound  from  the  grove.  It  was  almost 
within  her  grasp  when  the  bushes  at  her  side  parted  with  a 
sharp  noise.  She  pressed  closely  to  the  earth  and  held  her 
breath. 

"  Asaph!"  she  murmured  as  she  closed  her  eyes,  ex 
pecting  death. 

Several  seconds  passed — they  seemed  like  hours,  but  nu 
voice  sounded,  then  a  little  moist  nose  just  touched  her 
cheek;  it  was  a  little  goat  with  its  kid  by  its  side. 

Ah!  here  was  food  and  life  for  Asaph  could  she  but  coax 
it  to  the  cave;  then  she  could  return  at  night  to  the  gar 
den.  She  touched  it  very  gently  on  the  head;  it  started; 
she  spoke  a  few  soft  words,  then  approached  the  kid  very 
cautiously,  and  grasped  it  suddenly  and  firmly;  then 
snatching  her  veil  up  from  the  ground  she  hastened  back 
to  the  cave  with  the  kid  in  her  arms,  the  mother  follow 
ing,  crying  "  Ma-a!  ma-a!"  but  she  plucked  a  few  sweet 
leaves  from  a  tree  in  her  path  and  held  them  out  to  the 
goat,  who,  seeing  no  harm  was  done  her  kid,  eat  them, 
then  followed  on. 

When  they  arrived  at  the  cave  the  goat  refused  to  enter; 
so  Helah  sat  down  and  let  it  see  its  young,  then  smoothed 
its  long  beautiful  hair  and  spoke  to  it  gently,  then  taking 
off  her  leather  belt  from  around  her  waist,  she  quickly 
fastened  it  around  its  neck,  and  drew  it  after  her. 

The  goat  struggled  fiercely;  but  Ilelah  gained  sudden 
strength;  this  was  life  for  her  child,  nay,  for  herself  as 
well;  so  she  held  it  firmly,  and  with  coaxing  and  petting 


ASATH.  27 

she  finally  brought  it  to  the  inner  cave,  speaking  as  she 
came  so  that  Asaph  should  not  be  frightened. 

He  had  been  dozing,  but  sat  up  on  hearing  his  mother's 
voice. 

"  Oh!  the  pretty  creature!"  he  cried.  "  Let  me  touch 
her,  my  mother." 

She  led  the  goat  to  his  side  and  bade  him  hold  her  fast; 
then  taking  off  her  shoe  she  quickly  filled  it  with  the  pure 
white  life-giving  fluid.  Asaph  looked  on  in  wonder;  but 
when  it  was  held  to  his  lips  he  drank  it  with  delight,  say 
ing: 

"  Oh,  my  mother,  how  good  that  is!  Kow  dost  then 
drink  some,  thou  wilt  like  it  too."  So  Ilelah  drank  and 
her  strength  returned,  and  they  both  felt  better. 

Now  to  make  the  cave  secure  to  keep  the  goat  till  it 
should  be  tamed,  to  pile  up  rocks  and  fill  the  entrance 
would  be  a  difficult,  heavy  task,  and  she  was  weak.  So 
after  thinking  for  awhile  she  tore  some  strips  from  her 
widow's  veil  and  fastened  them  near  together  across  the 
opening.  Then  she  went  into  the  valley,  and  gathering 
grass  and  leaves,  she  filled  the  veil  and  bore  it  back  into 
the  cave. 

"Here  is  food  for  the  little  goat,  and  soft  leaves  for 
thy  bed,  dear  son;  I  will  get  more  from  the  valley,  so  that 
we  both  can  sleep  without  feeling  the  cold,  hard  rocks." 
But  Asaph  was  drowsy,  and  his  cheeks  red  with  fever. 
What  should  she  do?  Placing  him  upon  a  bed  of  leaves 
upon  a  large  projecting  rock,  she  sat  by  him  and  held  his 
hand.  Yes,  as  soon  as  night  descended  she  would  go  to 
the  garden  and  bring  the  cooling  pomegranate  and  the 


28  ASAPH. 

sweet  healing  balm  of  Oileacl.  Would  not  the  leaves  laid 
on  her  boy's  face  make  it  well?  The  thought  gave  her 
joy,  so  she  hastened  into  the  valley  again  and  brought  m 
leaves  enough  to  make  them  both  comfortable  for  the 
night. 

Ity  this  time  the  sun  was  sinking  and  the  whole  valley 
was  lighted  up  with  a  glorious,  refulgent  light  of  purple 
crimson  and  gold — so  beautiful  that  the  sight  gave  even 
her  sad  heart  a  thrill  of  pleasure;  then  as  it  gradually 
faded  away  and  the  stars  began  to  shine,  she  set  out  on  her 
erraiul.  The  thought  of  danger  did  not  present  itself;  it 
was  life  and  health  for  her  child  that  she  was  to  secure;  to 
do  so  quickly  was  all  her  thought. 

She  knew  the  gates  of  Jerusalem  were  closed  at  dark,  so 
no  man  woidd  interfere  with  her  purpose.  She  took  her 
way  by  the  margin  of  the  brook,  as  here  she  could  go 
swiftly,  no  bushes  impeding  her  way.  Should  the  watch 
men  on  the  walls  notice  her,  she  would  not  be  harmed,  as 
they  would  take  her  for  some  denizen  of  the  wilderness, 
and  Jehovah's  chosen  people  were  not  swift  to  shed  blood 
— at  least,  that  of  animals. 

She  ran  till  her  breath  grew  short,  then  rested  for  a  mo 
ment  and  listened,  but  not  a  sound  broke  the  stillness, 
save  the  watchmen  on  the  towers,  who  cried  ever  and  anon: 

"  All's  well !" 

The  lights  from  the  houses  and  the  streets,  and  from 
the  m:iny-wiiulc>\VL'.l  palaces,  tilled  the  air  above  the  pal 
aces,  tilled  the  atmosphere  above  the  city  with  a  faint  radi 
ance.  Holah's  heart  yearned  over  Jerusalem,  her  home, 
where  she  was  born;  where  her  father  had  served  in  the 


ASAPH.  29 

Temple  in  the  reign  of  the  good  Josiah;  where  her  childish 
voice  had  joined  in  praises  to  Israel's  God.  Her  eyes  filled 
with  tears;  she  must  not  think  of  these  things;  her  child 
was  waiting.  On  she  went  again,  eagerly  scanning  every 
object,  so  as  not  to  rniss  her  destination. 

At  length  she  came  to  the  stone  iuclosure  of  the  garden. 
The  beautiful  trees  drooped  over  the  sides,  and  the  vines 
trailed  among  the  stones.  She  entered  the  opening, 
shielded  but  by  a  few  bars,  then  she  satisfied  her  hunger  at 
any  tree  she  desired,  as  the  law  was,  then  she  looked 
among  them  for  those  already  gathered,  to  glean  the  por 
tion  left  for  the  poor. 

Soon  she  had  filled  her  veil  with  apples,  figs,  melons, 
pomegranates,  lettuce,  leeks,  and  olives;  then  she  took  a 
bunch  of  the  precious  balm  of  Gilead,  and  then  hastened 
back  to  her  boy. 

Only  that  she  had  observed  all  the  surroundings  of  the 
cave  and  placed  stones  here  and  there,  as  signs,  she  would 
never  have  been  able  to  find  it  again,  with  only  the  stars 
as  torches;  but  her  mother-love  had  served  her  a  projector, 
purveyor,  and  guide.  She  was  a  woman,  so  her  heart  beat 
a  little  faster  and  her  knees  trembled  slightly  as  she  en 
tered  the  dark  cave. 

Darkness  is  fearful,  like  .unto  death;  one  enters  into 
what  one  knows  not  of;  but  Helah  banished  every  other 
thought  but  of  her  child,  and  hastened  in.  She  had  filled 
her  shoe  with  water,  so  stepped  lightly  to  save  her  foot 
from  hurt. 

As  she  neared  the  inner  cave,  weary  with  her  load,  she 
murmured  softly: 


30  ASA  PH. 

"  Asaph!"  Buthe  did 'not  reply,  and  soon  his  gentle 
breathing  told  that  he  slept. 

The  little  goat  cried  "  Ma-a,  ma-a!"  so  she  gave  it 
sonic  fruit,  and  it  lay  down  to  sleep  with  its  kid.  Then 
she  placed  her  treasures  on  a  high  projecting  rock,  to  be 
out  of  their  reach,  then  lying  down  by  Asaph's  side,  she 
drew  the  thick  veil  over  them  both,  and  watching  the  stars 
that  shed  a  faint  light  through  the  rift  in  the  cave,  she, 
too,  went  to  sleep. 


ASA  PH.  '        31 


CHAPTER   V. 

THE   LIFE    IN   THE   CAVE.. 

ONCE  or  twice  during  the  night  Asaph  had  moaned,  and 
Helah  had  given  him  water  to  drink,  and  had  moistened 
the  grass  upon  his  face. 

When  morning  came  his  fever  was  less,  and  both  felt  re 
freshed  and  stronger  for  their  food  and  sleep. 

After  she  had  purified  herself  at  the  brook  and  drank 
of  its  cool  waters,  she  carried  some  to  Asaph,  who  did  the 
same;  then  she  milked  the  little  goat,  letting  it  eat  the 
while.  It  was  almost  a  kid  itself,  with  beautiful  long 
hair,  and  so  tame  that  Helah  thought  it  must  be  of  the 
stock  of  the  scapegoat  that  was  yearly  led  into  the  wilder 
ness  to  bear  away  the  sins  of  Israel  into  the  wilds  where  no 
man  liveth. 

The  milk  alone  sufficed  for  Asaph's  "  meat  "  in  the 
early  morning,  but  she  shoved  him  the  pleasant  fruits  she 
had  brought,  of  which  he  might  eat  as  the  day  grew  older; 
then  he  smiled  with  pleasure.  But  the  burn  still  pained  so 
cruelly  that  his  winsome  ways  had  left  him,  and  his  smile 
was  only  momentary. 

"  See,  my  son,  here  is  precious  balm;  let  me  lay  it  on 
thy  cheek." 

So,  bruising  some  of  the  leaves,  she  bound  them  on  his 
face  with  a  strip  of  her  inner  garments  of  white  linen. 


32  ASA  PH. 

Soon  ho  fell  into  a  doze,  and  so  she  knew  the  balm  had 
soothed  the  pain,  and  that  he  suffered  less. 

"  What  shall  1  do  when  he  must  run  about  on  these 
hard,  sharp  rocks — no  shoes  nor  sandals  even.'' 

She  had  neither  needle,  thread,  nor  shears.  How 
should  she  fashion  aught  to  protect  his  tender  feet?  Sud 
denly  she  remembered  her  leather  belt;  it  was  broad  and 
strong,  but  soft  withal;  so,  taking  it  from  her  waist,  she 
laid  it  on  a  Hat  stone,  then,  measuring  his  foot,  she  traced 
out  the  pattern  with  a  sharp  splinter  of  rock,  then  she 
pressed  harder  and  harder,  and  by  dint  of  patience  and 
persistent  effort  she  at  length  cut  through  the  leather,  and 
the  shoes  were  ready  for  the  needle.  But  where  should  she 
find  anything  approaching  that  useful  article?  l>ut  a 
thought  came;  so,  going  into  the  valley,  she  plucked  some 
long,  slender  thorns,  and  took  them  into  the  cave.  These 
she  pierced  with  one  of  her  strong  pins,  and  threaded  with 
several  strands  of  her  long,  black  hair. 

A\  hen  Asaph  awoke,  some  hours  later,  and  saw  his  little 
shoes,  he  laughed  with  comic  pleasure,  as  his  mother 
bound  his  legs  with  strips  from  the  ever-useful  veil;  then, 
when  the  shoes  were  drawn  upon  his  feet,  he  kissed  her 
and  said: 

"  (iood,  good  mother!"  and  patted  her  cheek. 

Clod's  chosen  people  were  a  serious  people  not  much 
given  to  light  and  frivolous  amusements.  There  was  little 
familiarity  of  speech  or  action  between  parent  and  child, 
but  the  greatest  ceremony  prevailed:  children  worshiping 
their  parents,  that  is,  bowing  to  the  earth  before  them, 
wiul  adults  of  a  lower  social  condition  used  the  same  cere- 


ASAPH.  33 

mony  to  those  of  a  higher,  or  even  an  equal,  standing.  If 
a  piece  of  land  was  to  be  bought  or  sold,  the  bargain  was 
dignified  by  the  greatest  display  of  politeness.*  This  all 
tended  to  an  elevation  of  language  and  beautiful  poetical 
idioms  of  speech,  nothing  coarse  or  common  ever  falling 
from  the  lips  of  an  Israelite,  man,  woman,  or  child.  This 
is  why  the  little  Asaph,  even  when  so  young,  spoke  a  pure, 
courteous  language. 

With  the  frequent  application  of  the  balm  leaves  the 
pain  of  the  burn  was  so  decreased  that  in  a  few  days 
Asaph/s  childish  nature  asserted  itself,  and  he  began  to 
play  about  the  cave  and  pet  and  caress  the  little  kid. 

He  soon  had  rendered  it  so  tame  that  it  would  follow 
him,  but  they  did  not  as  yet  go  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
little  cave. 

Helah  went  out  at  night  and  gleaned  what  the  reapers 
had  left  during  the  day;  sometimes  the  fields  were  so  far 
distant  that  it  would  be  midnight  before  she  returned, 
weary  and  spent,  with  her  heavy  load — she,  the  delicate 
woman  who  had  never  known  what  it  was  to  soil  her  hands 
with  labor  or  to  carry  the  slightest  burden. 

But  it  was  only  physical  fatigue,  for  what  cared  she  for 
the  foolish  pride  of  the  ignominy  of  work?  It  was  for  her 
child — that  feeling  nerved  her  to  the  most  heroic  efforts. 

Now  she  must  contrive  a  mill,  such  as  she  had  seen  her 
bond -maidens  use;  where  stones  were  so  plentiful  it  was 
not  a  difficult  matter,  but  at  first  she  could  only  beat  the 
wheat  and  barley  into  a  coarse  flour.  She  gathered  dry 

*  Witness  Abraham  purchasing  the  cave  of  Macphelah. 

2 


34  ASA  PH. 

e.ives  and  branches  and  ignited  them  by  striking  two 
stones  together,  and  the  little  cakes  cooked  in  the  ashes 
tasted  very  grateful  after  being  without  any  kind  of  bread 
for  so  many  days. 

As  Asapli  grew  better  Helah  would  take  him  to  the  en 
trance  of  the  cave  and  let  him  play  in  the  open  air  early  in 
the  morning  and  in  the  evening,  when  the  gates  of  Jerusa 
lem  were  closed;  so  daily  he  grew  stouter  and  stronger  and 
larger,  and  the  burn  healed  rapidly — so  rapidly  that  it  left 
an  ugly  scar,  which  grieved  his  mother's  heart.  If  she 
had  only  some  ointment,  or  fat  even;  but  how  should  she 
kill  aught  to  obtain  it — she  who  almost  fainted  at  the  sight 
of  blood;  and  besides,  it  would  be  murder,  unless  it  were 
brought  to  the  door  of  the  Temple  and  slain  either  by  one 
of  the  priests  or  in  their  sight. 

Then  she  thought  of  the  goat's  milk.  But  how  let  it  set 
to  obtain  the  cream  without  cup  or  bowl? 

Asaph  listened  to  her  murmur  ings,  and  a  few  days 
after,  when  they  returned  from  their  morning  purifica 
tions  at  the  Kedrou,  he  said: 

"  See,  my  mother,  1  have  made  a  little  cup  out  of  the 
clay  down  by  the  brook;  the  sun  has  burned  it  hard  and 
dry.  Will  it  not  do  to  save  the  milk?  it  makes  me  weep 
when  thou  art  gone  to  fetch  water  to  know  the  sharp  rocks 
might  cut  thy  dear  feet  on  thy  return  without  thy  shoes." 

Helah  kissed  his  brow. 

'  My  sou,  thou  art  a  man  in  thoughtfulness  for  thy 
mother.  This  cup  is  more  valuable  than  gold." 

Asaph  was  happy. 

So  cream  was  put  upon  the  scar  till  it  softened  and  ren- 


ASAPH.  35 

dered  the  hard  seam  less  unsightly.  Still  it  drew  one  side 
of  his  face  out  of  its  perfect  beauty. 

A  few  more  days  passed,  and  Asaph  had  made  several 
cups  and  bowls,  and  the  cave  began  to  look  a  little  more 
like  a  habitation. 

Each  day  added  something  to  their"  stock.  Winter  was 
near,  and  she  must  make  provision  for  those  cold  days 
when  the  trees  would  be  bare  and  the  fields  bereft  of  grain. 

So,  night  after  night  she  would  return  so  late  that  the 
red  streaks  were  already  in  the  east,  and  she  was  foot-sore 
and  weary. 

But  not  a  murmur  at  their  hard  fate  escaped  her  lips, 
and  if  she  could  have  only  returned  to  the  worship  of  the 
Jehovah  of  her  childhood  and  had  a  god  to  whom  to  pray 
and  give  thanks,  she  would  have  been  happy,  save  when 
she  looked  on  Asaph's  scar.  But  without  a  god  there  was 
always  something  lacking,  and  her  happiest  moments  were 
incomplete. 

So  the  time  passed  on.  Daily  she  instructed  Asaph,  as 
she  had  done  since  his  earliest  infancy,  and  he  was  an  apt 
scholar.  She  missed  the  cheerful  lamp  the  dark  evenings 
when  they  could  no  longer  sit  at  the  entrance  of  the  cave 
and  watch  and  talk  of  the  beautiful  moon  and  stars. 

Asaph  noticed  now  that  at  certain  times,  when  the  moon 
was  full,  his  mother  would  bow  to  it,  and  touch  the  earth 
with  her  forehead,  but  utter  no  word. 

"  Why  dost  thou  so,  my  mother?"  he  asked  one  night. 

"  She  is  the  queen  of  heaven,  the  great  Astarte,  whom 
of  late  we  have  been  taught  to  "worship,"  Helah  replied. 

But  Asaph  looked  grave,  yet  said  not  a  word. 


36  ASAPH. 

A  few  nights  after  he  said: 

"  Astarte  is  beautiful,  my  mother,  not  like  the  hideous 
Moloch,  but—" 

His  childish  tongue  could  not  frame  into  speech  the 
thoughts  that  crowded  into  his  brain,  so  he  sighed  and 
turned  away,  and  ever  after,  when  the  moon  was  full,  he 
woull  not  come  from  the  cave. 

Months  passed  away,  and  Helah  longed  to  return  to 
Jerusalem,  but  did  not  dare  to  do  so,  till  Asaph  should 
grow  up  beyond  recognition.  Only  for  this  yearning  the 
days  passed  pleasantly  enough. 

Asaph,  with  the  assistance  of  his  mother,  had  made  him 
a  little  bow  and  arrows,  in  imitation  of  the  weapons  of  his 
father.  Helah  had  strung  it  with  plaited  strands  of  her 
long  hair,  and  soon  he  could  hit  a  mark  with  unerring 
aim. 

"  Some  day,  my  mother,  I  might  have  to  fight  for  my 
people,  as  my  father  did,  but  only  to  save  them,  my 
mother." 

One  morning,  when  he  was  left  alone  in  the  valley, 
while  llelah  prepared  their  early  meal,  he  noticed  an  un 
clean  bird,  a  hawk,  killing  the  tsvittering  sparrows  that 
had  made  their  homes  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocky  en 
trance,  for  he  fed  them  each  morning;  so  they  had  come 
in  great  numbers  and  were  very  tame,  coming  at  his  call. 
He  quickly  drew  his  bow,  and  the  bird  lay  dead  at  his  feet. 
He  took  it  to  his  mother. 

"  Sec,  it  is  fat.    Will  it  not  make  oil  for  a  little  lamp?" 

Kelah  examined  it  and  said: 

"  Yes,  my  sou;  1  will  melt  the  iat  and  put  it  into  one 


ASAPH.  37 

of  thy  little  cups;  then  with  a  shred  of  stuff  for  a  wick,  we 
will  have  light." 

So  the  long  dark  nights  were  enlivened  by  its  gracious 
rays,  and  they  would  sit  and  talk.  Asaph  would  ask 
many  questions,  storing  his  mind  with  the  gathered  knowl 
edge  of  his  mother's  maturer  years,  or  they  would  mold  the 
clay  into  articles  of  use  and  beauty,  and  soon  a  lamp  with 
a  handle  graced  their  table  of  rock. 

It  was  Asaph's  task  to  supply  the  lamp;  so  he  became 
very  expert  in  destroying  the  feathered  enemies  of  his 
tame  birds. 

Helah  had  contrived  a  way  of  weaving  the  feathers  into 
a  covering,  using  her  hair  as  woof;  so  they  did  not  feel  the 
extreme  cold  of  winter;  then,  too,  the  cave  was  singularly 
warm  and  dry. 

When  the  birds  proved  "  clean,"  Helah  would  roast 
them  in  a  little  fire  that  they  kept  constantly  burning  in 
the  cave.  She  did  not  fear  the  smoke  would  betray  them, 
as  so  much  incense  was  burned  on  every  high  place  to  pro- 
pitiate  the  gods  that  she  knew  it  would  pass  unnoticed. 

So  the  winter  passed  and  no  news  from  Jerusalem. 
Could  she  remain  from  her  home  and  kindred  much 
longer?  Alas!  she  must,  for  Asaph's  sake. 

The  sacrifices  in  the  grove  still  continued,  for  Jehoia- 
kim  was  a  cruel  man  and  shed  much  innocent  blood,  and 
Asaph  would  tremble  when  he  heard  the  music;  and  when 
the  drums  sounded  he  would  rush  into  the  inner  cave  and 
raise  his  little  hands  to  heaven  in  speechless  entreaty. 


38  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

ASAPH    INCRKASKS    IN    YEARS    AND    WISDOM. — THE     KING 
IS   TERRIFIED. 

As  the  days  passed,  .the  months  passed,  and  so  the  years 
glided  away. 

Their  goats  had  increased  to  a  small  flock,  and  Helah 
had  learned  to  spin  their  hair  into  a  beautiful  warm  cloth. 
Asaph  had  made  for  her  a  distafl  and  a  rude  weaving 
frame.  He  had  found  out  a  process  of  curing  certain 
weeds  and  plants  and  using  thorn  for  thread,  so  that  now 
the  cave  was  covered  with  soft  mats,  also  the  rocky  seats, 
and  a  large  curtain  was  hung  before  the  entrance. 

Under  Helah's  directions  Asaph  had  made  an  oven  for 
baking  bread:  it  was  a  large  clay  jar  burned  hard.  It  was 
heated  by  filling  it  with  burning  sticks  and  grass,  then  it 
was  cleansed,  and  the  bread  put  in.  This  was  the  com 
mon  manner  in  Jerusalem  for  those  who  did  not  depend 
upon  the  public  baker. 

Asaph  was  now  a  tall  gracefid  lad,  very  expert  with  his 
bow,  which  he  made  year  by  year  larger  and  stronger. 
Ho  would  now  permit  his  mother  to  go  no  more  on  her 
midnight  excursions  alone,  but  always  accompanied  her, 
gleaning  as  rapidly  as  she,  and  always  bearing  the  burdens 
on  his  shoulders  back  to  the  cave. 

All  the  news  of  the  outside  world — which  to  them  was 


ASAPH.  39 

Jerusalem — which  ever  came  to  them  was  the  nightly  cries 
from  the  walls  and  towers: 

"All's  well!" 

"All's  well.  Ah,  my  son,  that  gladdens  my  heart. 
Dear  Jerusalem  is  well;  some  day  we  will  return,  and 
then—" 

"  Yes,  my  mother,  and  worship  Jehovah  as  of  old," 
Asaph  would  say  with  enthusiasm. 

One  morning,  very  early,  when  the  cold  of  winter  had 
marie  food  scarce,  and  the  denizens  of  the  wilderness  were 
fierce  from  hunger,  Asaph  was  awakened  by  the  pitiful 
cries  of  his  flock  of  goats  in  the  outer  cave.  He  seized  his 
bow  and  arrows  and  went  directly  to  their  assistance.  A 
large  fox  had  seized  a  kid,  and  it  was  struggling  fearfully, 
while  its  dam  was  crying  and  trying  to  protect  it. 

Asaph  took  aim,  and  in  a  moment  had  pierced  its  heart. 
The  flock  had  huddled  together,  and  were  trembling  with 
fright.  But  Asaph  had  a  kind  word  for  all,  and  called 
each  by  its  name;  so  when  he  had  reassured  them,  he 
skinned  the  fox  and  then  prepared  the  skin  for  a  surprise 
for  his  loved  mother. 

Some  time  after,  when  it  was  ready,  he  brought  it  to 
her  and  said: 

"  See,  my  mother,  here  is  a  churn  for  thee." 

She  had  told  him  how,  in  Jerusalem,  the  women  would 
take  the  skin  of  a  kid  tied  at  the  feet  and  filling  it  with 
milk,  would  hang  it  on  a  pole,  and,  shaking  it  back  and 
forth,  the  beautiful  yellow  butter  would  reward  their  labor. 

So  Helah  had  another  household  treasure,  and  felt  still 
more  happy  in  the  possession  of  such  a  thoughtful  son. 


40  ASAPH. 

For  some  time  there  had  been  no  noisy  sacrifices  in  the 
grove;  but  Asaph  had  often  seen  the  clouds  of  incense 
above  the  trees,  so  feared  the  cruel  ceremony  was  still 
being  performed,  and  he  lived  in  constant  dread  of  hearing 
the  dying  shrieks  of  the  victims. 

Both  Ilelah  and  Asaph  had  become  more  venturesome 
as  the  years  passed  on,  as  no  harm  had  befallen  them,  so 
they  remained  longer  in  the  valley  in  the  mornings,  and 
Asaph  delighted  to  explore  the  old  tombs,  and  they  wan 
dered  nearer  to  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 

One  morning,  as  they  walked  and  conversed  together  of 
the  future,  suddenly  the  beatings  of  the  "  tophs "  re 
sounded  in  the  valley,  and  the  blasts  from  the  silver  trum 
pets  on  the  walls  of  the  king's  garden  shrilly  cut  the  air. 

Asaph  trembled  and  turned  pale. 

"  My  mother,  they  are  sending  another  child  through 
the  fires  of  Moloch!  Will  the  great  Jehovah,  of  whom 
thou  toldest  me,  permit  the  sacrifice?" 

"  Alas,  my  son,  I  know  not!" 

"  Is  He  so  dreadful,  my  mother,  that  little  children  dare 
not  cry  to  Him  who  is  so  able  to  save?" 

"  My  son,  I  speak  of  Him  with  fear  and  trembling. 
We,  who  have  worshiped  Moloch,  are  impious  in  His 
sight," 

'  Thou  didst  not  worship  Moloch,  my  mother.  In  thy 
heart  thou  couldst  not  believe  that  hideous  thing  of  wood 
and  brass,  decked  with  women's  clothes,  to  be  thy  god. 
And  I  was  too  young  to  be  accountable.  But  can  not  we 
save  yon  child,  my  mother?" 


ASA  PH.  41 

"  How,  my  son?     Should   we  interfere  the  high  priest 

1 

would  have  us  torn  to  pieces/5 

"  Let  me  go,  my  mother,  I  will  denounce  the  sacrifice; 
tell  them  they  are  breaking  God's  holy  law  that  Moses 
brought  down  from  the  mount." 

Helah  looked  at  him  almost  in  terror.  Where  had  he 
learned  these  things? 

"  I  will  tell  them  Jehovah's  vengeance  will  overtake 
them  for  the  innocent  blood —  Oh,  let  me  go!"  He 
almost  escaped  from  her  detaining  hand. 

"  !S'o,  no,  my  son;  if  they  will  not  listen  to  the  Prophet 
Jeremiah  they  would  laugh  to  scorn  thy  words." 

They  had  approached  nearer  to  the  grove  unconsciously 
as  they  were  talking — so  near  that  the  sudden  shrieks  of 
agony  of  the  poor  victim  could  be  plainly  heard  above  the 
noise  of  drums  that  vainly  tried  to  drown  them. 

"  My  mother,  I  am  sick  with  helpless  indignation.  Let 
us  return  to  the  welcome  silence  of  the  cave."  So  they 
hastened  back. 

For  a  long  while  Asaph  sat  buried  in  thought,  then  he 
paced  the  cave  back  and  forth,  ever  and  anon  uttering  a 
sigh  or  groan.  His  mother  did  not  interrupt  his  medita 
tions  even  by  a  word,  but  took  the  distafl  he  had  made  her 
and  began  to  spin  the  beautiful  angora  wool  clipped  from 
their  flock  to  make  it  into  winter  clothing. 

Helah  had  studied,  when  a  maiden,  with  Huldah  in  the 
college  at  Jerusalem,  so  was  enabled  to  teach  Asaph  and 
bring  him  to  a  higher  standard  of  learning  than  was  usual 
with  boys  of  his  age,  and  the  rocky  walls  of  their  cave 
were  covered  with  his  lessons;  but  to-day  he  added  nothing 


42  ASAPH 

to  their  number;  he  seemed  to  be  wholly  absorbed  in  some 
mental  struggle. 

"  Yes,  1  will  appeal  to  their  fear,"  he  murmured.  "  It 
must  be  right.  Yes,  yes!"  a/id  still  he  paced  the  cave. 

"  What  is  it,  my  son,  that  troubles  thee?" 

"  1  was  thinking  of  the  awful  sacrifices  of  the  grove — " 

"  Banish  it  from  thy  thoughts,  my  sou;  the  thinking 
will  only  make  thy  life  one  long  day  of  pain.  The  evils 
we  can  not  remedy  were  best  forgotten." 

The  reverence  he  bore  his  mother — a  characteristic  of 
the  children  of  Israel — precluded  his  discussing  what  was 
so  near  his  heart;  but  he  determined  ho  would  make  an 
individual  effort  to  stop  these  inhuman  sacrifices.  So 
when  he  had  arranged  in  his  mind  a  plan  of  action,  he  sat 
down  by  his  mother  and  said: 

"  Now  let  me  help  thee,  my  mother,  and  hear  thy 
words  of  wisdom  as  we  work." 

So  he  helped  her  with  the  spinning,  she  instructing  him 
the  while  till  time  for  dinner;  then  he  kindled  a  fire  while 
she  kneaded  cakes  made  from  the  grain  they  had  gleaned 
together  many  a  night  by  starlight.  He  ground  the  grain 
into  flour  between  two  stones — he  would  allow  his  mother 
to  do  none  of  the  hard  work  now  of  their  daily  life,  he 
felt  so  strong  and  proud  of  his  advancing  years. 

"  Rest,  my  mother,"  he  said,  when  the  meal  was 
ended,  "  and  tell  me  about  Jerusalem." 

He  was  never  tired  of  listening  to  her  descriptions  of 
their  old  home  and  of  the  beautiful  Temple,  and  the  im 
mense  pools  on  which  pleasure  boats  danced  in  the  sun,  of 
the  lovely  bazaars  or  fairs  in  which  objects  of  beauty  and 


ASAPH.  43 

use  from  all  over  the  world  were  offered  for  sale.  Asaph 
had  only  a  slight  remembrance  of  the  home  of  his  birth. 
His  life  in  the  woods  and  caves  had  developed  him  into  a 
boy  of  magnificent  stature  and  strength  and  still  more 
glorious  beauty.  The  memory  of  the  few  years  he  had 
passed  in  Jerusalem  were  compressed  into  the  experiences 
of  that  terrible  day  in  the  grove. 

His  mother  would  look  at  him  at  times  with  almost 
awe,  especially  when  she  told  him  of  the  old-time  wander 
ings  of  their  people,  and  he  would  denounce  the  wrongs  of 
which  they  had  been  guilty  in  the  impassioned  tones  of 
one  inspired.  She  would  think  of  his  descent  from  "  one 
of  the  sons  of  God  "  on  his  father's  side,  and  wonder  what 
would  be  his  destiny  in  this  great  world.  Thus  they 
passed  the  day,  for  it  would  have  been  unsafe  to  have  been 
seen  in  the  valley  in  daylight,  even  to  tend  their  flock  of 
goats,  on  a  day  of  sacrifice.  So  when  she  knew  the  gates 
of  Jerusalem  were  closed  they  walked  forth  fearlessly  hand 
in  hand,  and  attended  to  their  delayed  duties,  and  housed 
their  flock  in  the  first  great  cave;  then  they  went  to  the 
brook  and  purified  themselves,  then  sat  in  the  beautiful 
moonlight  and  discoursed  till  time  for  sleep. 

His  mother  had  taught  him  somewhat  of  the  stars;  but 
in  these  years  of  observation  in  which  he  delighted  he  had 
far  outstripped  her  in  the  knowledge  of  their  ways,  and 
used  to  beg  to  sit  each  night  a  little  while  alone  to  meditate. 

To-night  he  remained  longer  than  usual,  and  on  going 
to  the  cave  found  his  mother  asleep.  He  kissed  her  gen 
tly,  but  she  awoke,  so  light  is  a  mother's  sleep,  wishing  to 
guard  her  loved  ones,  even  in  her  dreams. 


44  ASAPH. 

"  Ah,  Asaph,  good-night,  darling." 

"Peace  be  with  thee,  my  mother,"  he  replied;  and 
now  she  sunk  into  a  deeper  sleep,  knowing  her  boy  was 
there. 

As  soon  as  Asaph  thought  she  would  not  notice  his  de 
parture,  he  wrapped  his  mantle  around  him  and  went  into 
the  valley.  He  took  his  way  by  the  Kedron,  and  when  he 
came  to  the  bridge  he  quickly  crossed  and  soon  came  to 
the  walls  of  the  king's  garden. 

All  was  quiet  in  the  grove.  He  was  agile  as  a  young 
athlete,  so  approaching  a  tall  tree  that  threw  its  branches 
almost  into  the  clustering  vines  that  trailed  over  the  wall 
and  somewhat  down  its  side  in  its  luxuriance,  he  climbed 
quickly  into  its  wide-spreading  branches,  then  sprung  into 
the  vines  and  so  drew  himself  to  the  top;  from  here  he 
could  see  the  windows  of  the  palace,  but  all  were  dark 
save  a  faint  light  from  one.  For  a  moment  he  sat  still, 
hid  by  the  vines;  then  he  cried  in  impassioned  tones: 

"  King  Jehoiakim!  King  Jehoiakim!  Woe,  woe,  woe 
to  thee  for  the  innocent  blood!  Didst  thou  not  hear  the 
babes  cry  in  their  agony?  Oh.  oh,  o — h!'' 

This  he  wailed  so  pitifully  that  soon  one  window,  then 
another,  held  a  human  face.  He  continued  to  cry: 

'•  Woe,  woe,  woe  to  Jerusalem  for  killing  her  babes! 
and  woe  to  the  king  for  breaking  the  laws  of  the  mighty 
Jehovah,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel!  \V-o-e!  w-o-e?" 

The  sound  was  heart-rending,  and  soon  King  Jehoiakim 
came  to  his  window  with  a  terror-stricken  face,  and  still 
Asaph  continued  to  cry.  Then  the  lovely  face  of  a  child 
appeared  at  the  window  where  the  light  shone. 


ASAPH.  45 

Asaph  started;  he  had  never  seen  anything  so  beautiful 
before.  Was  this  the  princess  for  whom  he  had  been 
about  to  die?  He  arose  and  gazed  at  her.  Just  then  the 
moon  burst  from  behind  a  cloud  and  gleamed  on  his 
golden  hair  and  radiant  face.  She  saw  him  and  started, 
bat  King  Jehoiakim  cried:  "It  is  his  spirit!'*  and  fell 
back  on  to  the  floor  of  his  chamber  in  a  death-like  swoon. 


46  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

KING     J  E  H  O  1  A  K  I  M  . 

ALL  was  confusion  in  the 'palace;  the  physicians  were 
hastily  summoned,  and  for  awhile  it  was  feared  Jehioakim 
was  dead.  Some  of  his  servants  could  hardly  conceal  their 
joy,  for  he  was  a  cruel  master,  and  the  least  fault  cost  the 
ollender  his  life,  sometimes,  too,  by  the  most  cruel  torture. 

The  old  officers  and  relatives  of  his  deposed  brother 
cried: 

"  Our  despoiled  king  is  avenged!  Glory,  glory  to  Mo 
loch  and  Baal!" 

But  when  Jehoiakim  regained  consciousness  these 
shrunk  away  in  sullen  silence. 

The  Princess  Elia  and  her  mother  had  hastened  to  the 
king's  couch,  and  bent  over  him,  weeping,  and  Coniah, 
his  son — a  mild  youth  of  some  fifteen  summers — uttered 
prayers  to  all  the  gods  that  were  worshiped  in  Syria,  and 
sometimes  the  name  of  Jehovah,  his  father's  father,  the 
good  Josiah's  God,  fell  from  his  lips. 

When  the  king  regained  his  speech  his  children  prostrat 
ed  themselves  before  him,  touching  their  foreheads  to  the 
floor.  When  he  saw  them  he  smiled  faintly,  and  said: 

"  Is — is  it  you,  my  children?  What— what  has  befallen 
me?" 

"  Only  a  faintness,  my  lord  and  father,"  replied  his 
son,  kissing  his  hand. 


ASAPH.  47 

"  Elia,  my  Rose  of  Sharon,  didst  thou  not  see — was  it 
not  a  spirit?" 

"  No,  my  gracious  lord;  it  was  but  a  beauteous  boy 
standing  in  the  moonlight!" 

"  It — it  was  his  spirit.  The  boy  was  being  offered  to 
great  Moloch  for — for  thy  prosperity,  but  he  escaped  with 
his  mother  to  die  in  the  wilderness." 

"  Most  gracious  lord,  I  do  not  think  that  was  aught  but 
a  living  being  we  saw,  '  said  Elia's  mother. 

"  Astarte  be  praised!  He  did  not  die  that  cruel  death 
for  me/'  cried  the  princess. 

The  king  groaned: 

"  Why  does  Moloch  allow  his  spirit  to  return  to  vex  me? 
But— but  if  he  lives,  Duinah  shall  seek  him." 

"  Oh,  my  gracious  king  and  father,  do  him  no  harm! 
What  advantage  could  his  death  avail — how  add  to  my 
happiness?  If  J  have  thy  love  I  need  naught  else.'* 

The  king  smiled  and  said: 

"  Thou  hast  that,  my  daughter,  but  woe  to  them  of  this 
house  that  hate  me,  and  would  league  with  others  to  de 
stroy  my  peace  of  mind!" 

Elia  dared  not  venture  further,  but  pressed  her  father's 
hand,  and  seeing  that  he  wished  to  sleep,  she  made  obei 
sance  to  him  and  left  the  chamber. 

In  her  own  dainty  room  she  sat  and  thought.  The 
Ethiopian  maid  lay  on  a  mat  at  her  feet;  she  had  not  even 
been  aroused  by  the  running  of  many  feet.  These  chil 
dren  of  the  torrid  sun,  though  faithful  like  dogs,  are  heavy 
sleepers,  and  their  watch  is  with  their  heart  more  than 
their  eyes. 


48  ASA  PH. 

"  If  the  boy  lives,  1  must  warn  him.  1  would  not  that 
my  father  should  be  guilty  a  second  time  of  his  blood.  1 
do  not  think  the  peaceful  Astarte  would  wish  it!" 

Then  she  laid  herself  down  to  sleep  with  the  goddess's 
name  upon  her  lips. 

Soon  (he  palace  was  again  sunk  in  slumber. 

The  morning  dasvned  on  Jerusalem,  peaceful  and  beau 
tiful,  but  the  palace  was  full  of  ugly  rumors  of  the  night 
before. 

"  Eliakim  is  being  punished  for  being  the  servant  or 
Egypt — Egypt,  whom  Jehovah  despised  and  chastened 
with  plagues  and  death  for  our  sakes!"  cried  an  old  white- 
headed  Beiijamito,  who  had  never  forsaken  the  true  God. 
"  Aha!  Jehovah's  will  be  done!" 

This  was  immediately  reported  to  the  king,  and  in  an 
hour  the  evil  birds  were  feeding  on  his  poor  dismembered 
body,  that  had  been  dragged  asunder,  then  thrown  over 
the  walls  into  the  valley  of  Hinnon.  Then  the  other  in 
mates  of  the  palace  were  more  cautious,  and  the  shakings 
of  the  heads  and  knowing  looks  only  passed  between 

friends. 

******* 

The  king,  in  gorgeous  robes,  sat  on  his  throne  in  the 
judgment-hall,  a  curious  temple,  raised  up  on  pillars  in  the 
midst  of  a  great  apartment  of  the  palace  buildings.*  It 
had  a  frieze  of  beautifully  sculptured  stone,  the  plants  and 
trees  so  closely  copied  from  nature  that  the  leaves  seemed 
to  stir  with  the  wind.f  The  ceiling  was  beautifully  painted 

*  Or  else  the  House  of  the  Forest  of  Lebanon. 
i  Josephus. 


ASAPH.  49 

in  colors.  Here  also  was  the  magnificent  ivory  throne  of 
Solomon,  with  the  fourteen  guarding  lions,  and  the  bul 
lock  against  which  he  leaned,  all  bound  together  and  re 
splendent  with  gold. 

On  each  side  of  the  throne,  but  lower  down,  were  his 
armed  body-guards,  his  officers,  princes,  and  eunuchs. 

Before  him,  prostrate  on  the  floor,  were  those  who  came 
to  plead  for  justice  or  mercy.  Kear  them,  in  almost  as 
abject  attitudes,  were  his  servants  and  petty  officers. 

The  king  was  burning  under  a  sense  of  injury,  and  to 
day  none  found  mercy  at  his  hands;  a  look,  a  motion,  and 
each  was  borne  away  to  punishment. 

Even  this  seemed  to  irritate  him  more,  and  he  cried: 

"  Bear  the  wretches  to  their  doom!  I  will  hear  no 
more!" 

And  the  struggling,  screaming  people,  men  and  women, 
were  hastened  away  by  spear-thrusts  and  borne  to  the 
mysterious  subterranean  chambers  from  which  no  one  re 
turned. 

Then  the  king  said: 

"Bring  Dumah,  Moloch's  high  priest,  and  all  begone 
save  my  guard." 

For  awhile  he  sat  silent.  Soon  the  high  priest  was  brought 
between  two  officers,  looking  frightened,  but  as  sinister  as 
Jehoiakim  himself. 

''  Why  hast  thou  done  this  thing,  oh,  priest!  to  vex  thy 
king  and  master?" 

Dumah  prostrated  himself,  but  not  as  humbly  as  the 
others  had  done. 

"  I  have  done  naught  to  vex  my  lord." 


50  A8APH. 

"  Didst  thou  not  find  the  boy  that  escaped  great  Moloch 
long  years  ago?" 

For  a  moment  Dumah  hesitated,  then  his  cheek  flushed 
red. 

"  Ay,  most  gracious  king;  he  and  his  adulterous  mother 
hud  fled  to  the  tomb  of  the  good  Queen  Jezebel,  and  thus 
was  the  slaughter  of  the  priests  and  prophets  of  great  Baal 
avenged,  for  the  people — tore — them — limb— from — 
limb!" 

In  these  days  a  falsehood  was  considered  justifiable  on 
the  least  pretext;  even  those  considered  to  be  the  prophets 
of  the  most  high  God  deceiving  and  lying  without  a  blush 
of  shame,  they  even  besmutching,  as  much  as  man  could 
do,  the  fame  of  the  great  God  of  Truth  by  charging  Him 
wiih  accomplishing  His  purposes  by  employing  lying 
spirits,  thus  intimating  that  He  was  not  all-powerful,  but 
had  to  call  to  His  aid  disreputable  spirits  that  lived  ip  the 
heavenly  kingdom.* 

"  Then  it  was  his  spirit  1  saw.  Canst  thou  not  propiti 
ate  great  Moloch  with  a  splendid  offering  of  many — an 
ottering  he  shall  not  despise — so  that  he  will  leave  me  in 
peace?" 

The  priest's  eyes  glistened. 

"'  Ay,  most  mighty  king;  such  an  offering  as  shall 
shame  to  nothing  aught  that  has  gone  to  him  before/' 

"  Make  thy  preparations  then.  Send  couriers  through 
the  cities  and  the  villages  that  still  belong  to  us,  and  bid 
the  people  hasten  magnificently  attired  to  the  sacrifice." 

*  II.  Chronicles,  xviii  Chapter,  14  to  23  verses. 


ASAPH.  51 

Just  then  hurried  steps  were  heard,  and  an  Israelite 
entered  with  an  armed  escort  of  the  palace.  He  prostrat 
ed  himself  before  the  king.  His  clothes  were  torn  and 
travel-stained;  thus  he  lay,  with  his  face  touching  the 
floor,  without  uttering  a  word. 

"  Arise!  Speak!  Wherefore  this  haste  and  these  marks 
of  travel  from  afar?"  asked  the  king,  haughtily. 

'*  Oh,  gracious,  mighty  king!  Seven  days  ago,  as  thy 
servant  was  tending  his  flock  upon  the  mountain-side 
toward  the  great  Euphrates,  a  dust  as  of  a  whirlwind  arose 
from  the  valley.  When  the  sun  rose  high  the  cloud 
lifted,  somewhat  drawn  by  his  power,  and  there,  glitter 
ing  in  his  rays,  marched  a  myriad  armed  and  warlike 
men,  their  faces  set  toward  Jerusalem.  Thy  servant  hasted 
day  and  night,  faint  for  lack  of  food,  to  warn  my  gra 
cious  lord!" 

As  he  ceased  speaking,  he  fell  to  the  floor,  foaming  at 
the  mouth. 

For  a  moment  Jehoiakim  was  speechless  with  astonish 
ment,  then  he  said : 

"  Give  yon  wretch  good  care.  Mark  ye,  do  not  let  him 
die.  I  would  learn  more." 


52  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

ASAPH    MEETS   THE    PKINCESS. 

])r.MAH  hastened  into  the  valley  of  Hinnon.  He  had 
heard  all  the  particulars,  much  exaggerated,  of  the  night 
before,  and  felt  convinced  that  Asaph  still  lived. 

"  This  time  he  shall  not  escape  Moloch,  but  he  shall  not 
pass  to  the  great  god's  arms.  No;  his  beauteous  limbs 
shall  feed  the  fires  of  sacrifice!" 

Then  he  gathered  together  those  of  the  priests  he  felt 
\vere  bound  to  his  interests,  and  imparted  to  them  the 
great  secret,  and  dividing  up  the  valley,  gave  each  a  por 
tion  to  search  minutely. 

Little  Elia,  who  was  a  great  favorite  in  the  palace,  on 
account  of  her  gentle  disposition  and  her  influence  with 
the  king,  had  learned  everything. 

•  Oh,  how  should  she  warn    the  boy?     The   thought  of 
harm  befalling  him  on  her  account  made  her  almost  ill. 

She  wandered  in  the  garden  all  day  long,  and  gazed  at 
the  place  where  she  had  seen  him  stand  so  glorious  in  his 
beauty  in  the  moonlight. 

"  1  will  not  rest  to-night,  but  watch  at  my  window,  so 
that  should  ho  come  again,  I  will  bid  him  hide  and  save 
himself." 

liut  she  was  so  young  that  before  the  night  was  spent 
she  tell  asleep  at  her  post,  and  the  Ethiopian  maid  laid  her 
upon  her  couch. 


ASA  PH.  53 

Asaph,  expecting  something  might  result  from  his  weird 
visit,  kept  himself  closely  concealed  all  day,  first  obliterat 
ing  all  evidence  of  habitation  by  strewing  leaves  and  bram 
bles  all  around,  then  drawing  the  trailing  vines  over  the 
opening  to  their  cave.  They  were  careful  to  make  no  fire 
for  the  smoke  to  betray  thrni  through  the  cleft  in  their 
rocky  ceiling,  and  he  listened  intently  to  hear  if  any  foot 
passed  that  way. 

"  What  has  happened,  my  son,  that  we  must  be  more 
careful  this  day  over  any  other?"  Helah  asked. 

Asaph  took  her  hand,  and  said  imploringly: 

"  Trust  me  this  once,  my  mother,  without  an  explana 
tion." 

Just  then  little  showers  of  dust  and  rock  fell  down 
through  the  rift  in  the  top  of  the  cave. 

"  Ah!  men  or  beasts  are  passing  above.     Listen!" 

{Soon  they  heard  the  steps  of  several,  and  caught  the 
words: 

"Armed  men — toward  Jerusalem." 

"  Ah!"  cried  Helah;  but  Asaph  laid  his  hand  upon  her 
arm,  and  whispered: 

"  'Sh!"  pointing  to  the  opening. 

When  the  crunching  of  their  steps  had  died  away,  she 
cried : 

"  Oh!  is  beautiful  Jerusalem,  the  city  of  my  love,  to  be 
again  besieged  by  her  cruel  enemies?  So  have  the  proph 
ets  cried  again  and  again,  but  none  would  listen!  Woe, 
woe  is  mo!" 

And  she  stooped  and  poured  handfuls  of  dust  upon  her 
head,  and  moaned  and  wrung  her  hands  in  mental  agony. 


54  ASAPH. 

Asaph  comforted  her  as  best  he  could,  but  remembering 
so  little  of  Jerusalem,  he  could  not  fully  understand  her 
sorrow.  The  armed  force  coming  toward  the  city  was  the 
reason  of  her  son's  extra  vigilance,  she  thought,  and  won 
dered  at  his  wisdom. 

When  the  gates  of  Jerusalem  were  closed  they  stole 
quietly  out  into  the  beautiful  night.  Xearing  the  walls, 
they  noticed  an  extra  number  of  watchmen  were  guarding 
them,  and  that  the  towers  were  full  of  light  and  the  noise 
of  busy  men. 

"  We  must  lay  up  much  stores,  my  mother;  for  when 
armed  men  fill  this  valley  it  were  dangerous  for  thee  to  go 
abroad." 

So  they  gleaned  till  late.  Asaph  knew  where  the  wild 
bees  had  their  homes  in  many  a  hollow  tree  and  rock,  so 
he  brought  great  combs  and  filled  earthen  jars  for  future 
use. 

When  his  mother  had  sunk  to  sleep  he  quietly  left  the 
cave. 

Soon  he  was  in  his  place  of  the  night  before  on  the  walls 
of  the  king's  garden.  Immediately  he  began  his  moaning 
and  crying. 

"Woe!  woe!  woe!  for  the  innocent  blood!  Woe  to 
Jehoiakim!  Woe  to  the  priest  of  Moloch!" 

Again  the  window  fillud  with  faces,  again  the  king 
looked  forth  in  terror. 

"  Oh,  ye  people,  ye  shall  be   broken    to   pieces!     Woe 
unto  them  that  rob  the  widow  of  her  children!" 
The  king  trembled  and  shook  with  horror. 


ASAPH.  55 

44  Spare  the  babes,  oh,  king!  Their  blood  crieth  out 
against  thee.  Oh — h!" 

Elia  stood  at  her  window  and  made  a  sign.  Asaph  arose 
to  his  full  height  in  the  moonlight,  then  in  a  moment  he 

disappeared. 

******* 

Asaph  awoke  early  the  next  morning  before  the  gates 
were  opened,  and  wrote  upon  the  wall  this  message: 

"My  mother,  I  beseech  thee,  stay  in  the  cave  to-day. 
Fear  not  for  me.  I  go  to  learn  the  news.  1  will  be  pru 
dent  and  return  when  it  is  not  dangerous/' 

Then  he  hastened  to  the  king's  garden,  and  hid  himself 
among  the  vines  upon  the  wall.  Soon  the  beautiful  little 
Elia  came  to  the  window;  he  arose  full  in  her  view;  she 
looked  terrified,  arid  made  a  sign  of  danger,  then  pointed 
to  the  garden. 

Quickly  he  climbed  down  the  hanging  vines,  but  they 
could  not  sustain  his  weight,  but  broke  in  his  hands,  so  he 
jumped  and  fell,  striking  a  small  rock.  He  lay  for  a  mo 
ment  stunned  and  slightly  bleeding. 

Elia,  who  had  watched  at  her  window  since  day-break, 
hastened  to  his  side. 

"What!  dead?"  she  cried,  as  he  lay  motionless;  then 
she  gently  turned  his  head,  and  saw  the  terrible  scar  of  the 
burn  and  the  trickling  blood. 

"Moloch  has  conquered!  he  has  died  for  me  at  last!'' 
and  she  bent  over  him  weeping.  The  tears  falling  on  his 
face  aroused  him. 

"  I — I — am  not  hurt — only  my  jump  was  almost  a 
fall,"  he  said,  sitting  up. 


56  ASAPH. 

She  took  the  corner  of  her  robe  and  stanched  the 
blood. 

"  Astarte  be  thanked!  thou  livest!"  she  cried,  with  joy. 
"  But  quick,  let  me  hide  lliee;  for  any  moment  the  slaves 
might  come,  and  then —  I  shudder  to  think  what  might 
happen  to  thee. " 

She  led  him  into  a  beautiful  little  garden  inclosed  with 
a  high  hedge.  The  air  was  heavy  with  the  perfume  of 
flowers  and  fruit  trees.  Delicate  palms  gave  refreshment 
and  shade,  and  in  the  midst  was  a  small  building  made  in 
the  Egyptian  style,  substantial  but  highly  ornate.  The 
interior  was  florid  with  their  peculiar  decorations  of  ibis, 
lilies,  flamingoes,  storks,  and  papyrus  reeds,  and  the  pict 
ured  Nile  and  pyramids. 

"  Here,  gentle  boy,  is  my  bower.  None  dare  enter 
without  my  word — not  even  my  slave  Cleo. " 

Then  she  brought  him  wine  and  fruits  and  little  cakes, 
and  with  cool  water  from  the  fountain  by  the  door  she 
bathed  his  face. 

Asjiph  saw  everything  as  in  a  dream. 
'  Thou  art  very  beautiful,"  he  said  at  last;  but  Elia 
was  too  young  to  blush  at  admiration,  so  she  said: 

44  Eat  and  drink;  then  we  will  talk." 

lie  took  a  little  cake,  and,  breaking  it,  he  smiled  and 
gave  her  half. 

She  took  it  with  a  pleased  obeisance. 

"  Art  thou  a  prince?"  she  asked. 

"  1  know  not,"  he  ivpliu!,  "  but  my  name  is  Asaph." 

"  Did  they  once  try  to  give  thee  to  Moloch  for  my 
sake?" 


ASAPH.  57 

"Ay!  I  remember  it  as  it  were  yesterday;  but  my 
mother  fled  and  saved  me." 

"  Astarte  be  thanked!  I  like  not  Moloch;  the  children 
cry  so  pitifully  going  to  his  arms  that  it  makes  me  weep. 
My  father  fears  thou  art  a  spirit;  but  thou  art  not — is  it 
not  so?" 

"  I  am  but  a  body  of  flesh  and  blood  as  thou  art;  but  as 
my  mother  and  myself  walk  in  the  valley  the  agonized 
crying  of  the  babes  makes  us  weep  also,  and  so  I  tried,  Je 
hovah  helping,  to  stay  the  cruel  sacrificing." 

"  Who  is  Jehovah?  Is  he  a  mighty  king?  I  heard  my 
brother  Coniah  speak  his  name  with  Baal  and  Astarte." 

"  I  scarcely  know.  But  my  mother  said  that,  years 
ago,  when  Jerusalem  was  much  more  glorious  than  it  is 
this  day,  He  was  the  God  whom  all  Israel  worshiped,  but 
that  lie  was  so  dreadful  in  His  anger  that  now  they  pray 
to  gods  that  can  not  punish  them." 

"  I  fear  my  father  means  thee  harm;  so  come  no  more 
with  thy  sad  cries  to  the  wall,  lest  he  have  a  guard  lying 
in  wait  for  thee.  1  will  plead  for  the  poor  babes,  for  my 
father  loves  me  well.  But  Moloch's  high  priest  is  very 
powerful  and  very  cruel.  Even  now  they  are  preparing 
for  a  great  sacrifice  to  propitiate  the  gods  and  keep  the 
mighty  King  of  Babylon  away  from  Jerusalem." 

"  Oh,  that  I  dare  go  through  the  city  and  warn  the 
people!"  cried  Asaph. 

"  Wouldst  thou  like  to  see  Jeiusakm,  and  dost  thou 
not  dare?" 

"  Ay;  but  only  for  my  mother's  sake,  for  if  1  were  dead 
she  would  have  none  to  console  her." 


58  ASAPH. 

"  Stay  till  to-night,  and  I  will  disguise  thee  in  Cleo's 
garments,  and  we  will  go  together." 

There  was  a  great  deal  of  freedom  permitted  the  wives 
and  maidens  of  Jerusalem,  and  they  went  about  and  visit 
ed  much  with  their  faces  covered  or  uncovered  as  it  pleased 
them.  Children  also  were  permitted  to  play  freely  on  the 
streets — indeed,  the  more  children^seen  thus  enjoying  them 
selves  the  greater  was  considered  the  prosperity  and  hap 
piness  of  the  people. 

Asaph's  heart  leaped  with  joy  at  the  thought  of  seeing 
Jerusalem  and  the  holy  Temple. 

"  Oh!  princess,  thanks!"  and  he  made  a  deep  obeisance; 
but  she  raised  him  quickly. 

"  1  am  Elia  to  thee.  Cleo,  my  slave,  is  faithful — we  will 
tell  her."  Going  to  the  door  she  gave  a  peculiar  call,  and 
the  Ethiopian  came  to  her  smiling.  "  Cleo,  this  is  a  son 
of  the  gods;  do  not  betray  that  he  is  here;  he  will  help 
both  me  and  thee." 

The  black  slave  showed  her  teeth,  and  her  eyes  shone 
bright. 

'   Him  beautiful!     Him  go  to  Moloch!"  she  said. 

Quick  as  a  flash  the  little  princess  struck  her  on  the 
mouth;  but  she  withdrew  her  hand  with  a  look  of  pain — 
she  had  bruised  it  on  the  slave's  teeth. 

"  Wretch!"  she  cried,  "  how  dare  you?  He  is  a  god,  I 
say!  Are  you  not  afraid  of  his  anger?" 

Cleo  fell  prostrate  to  the  floor,  and  taking  one  of  Elia's 
feet,  she  placed  it  on  her  neck. 

"  Let  Cleo   no  die!"    she    cried.      She    was   of   those 


ASAP11.  59 

Ethiopians  fat  and  sleek  who  cherish  no  thoughts  of  re 
venge,  but,  like  a  dog,  loves  tha  hand  that  chastises  them. 

"  Arise!  I  hate  thee  not.  But  remember,  let  him  be 
as  myself  to  thee.  Here,  eat  these  cakes  for  peace  be 
tween  us." 

Cleo  liked  the  good  things  of  this  world,  and  needed  no 
second  bidding.  Soon  Asaph  said: 

"  Let  me  return  now  to  my  mother,  lest  she  fear — " 

"  Nay,  they  are  searching  for  thee.  Cleo  brought  me 
word  the  valley  is  full  of  armed  priests  to  secure  thee  for 
the  wicked  Dumah.  Stay  till  the  gates  are  closed  and 
danger  past.  I  must  go  to  the  palace  now.  Cleo  will  be 
thy  guard  till  I  come  again."  Then  looking  at  her,  she 
said,  "  Remember,  as  myself,  slave!"  and  hastened  away. 

Cleo  prostrated  herself  at  his  'eet.  For  awhile  he  gazed 
at  her;  she  must  be  his  friend;  then  he  said: 

"  The  princess  has  told  thee  true.  I  am  descended  from 
one  of  the  sons  of  God — so  my  mother  has  often  told  me." 

"  Ay,  him  hair  is  like  the  sun-god,  and  him  eyes  shine 
like  Astarte's.  Cleo  am  him  slave!"  and  she  put  his  foot 
upon  her  neck. 

"  Enough.  Do  not  betray  my  presence  here  to  the 
king  or  to  aught  other  living  being  here.  Serve  me,  and 
good  will  come  to  thee.  Dost  like  honey?" 

"  Ay,  master,"  she  said,  smacking  her  lips. 

"  And  figs  and  pomegranates  and  sweet  spices?" 

"  Ay,  good  master." 

"  To-morrow  will  1  bring  thee  what  my  hands  can 
carry;  but  be  faithful  to  me." 

"  Cleo's  master  unto  death,"  she  replied. 


60  ASA  PH. 

Asaph  looked  about;  the  grandeur  delighted  him:  the 
soft  couches,  the  beautiful  Persian  rugs,  the  lovely  work 
of  the  potter's  art.  He  remembered  nothing  of  all  this  in 
Jerusalem,  or  so  very  faintly  it  was  like  a  dream  one 
strives  in  vain  to  remember  in  one's  waking  moments. 

The  coloring  of  the  walls  was  a  little  too  vivid,  and 
slightly  jarred  upon  his  sensitive  perceptions;  but  it  was 
all  so  new  that  this  feeling  was  absorbed  in  the  pleasure 
he  felt. 

When  the  princess  returned  he  was  resting  on  a  couch, 
and  Cleo  was  on  her  knees  fanning  him  with  a  great  bunch 
of  peacocks'"  feathers. 

"  Master  sleeps,"  she  said. 

Elia  stood  and  gazed  upon  him. 

"  How  beautiful!  I  did  not  think  a  human  being  could 
live  under  such  a  weight  of  loveliness.  1  see  no  hair  like 
his  among  our  people,  and  his  skin  is  as  rose  leaves  dipped 
in  milk." 

Asaph  stirred  under  her  earnest  gaze,  and  opened  his 
eyes.  In  a  moment  he  was  making  his  obeisance  to  her. 

"  Nay,  forget  not  1  am  only  Elia  to  thee,  a  poor  little 
maiden  to  whom  thou  shall,  teach  thy  wisdom.  To-night 
we  will  see  Jerusalem  in  her  beauty,  for  there  is  to  be  a 
festival  to  the  good  Astarte,  and  I  am  to  offer  cakes. 
Wilt  thou  do  so  also — as  a  maiden:"' 

l'  Nay,  1  will  only  come  as  thy  slave — not  to  worship, 
but  to  protect  thee." 

80  it  was  arranged  that  when  the  sun  went  down  he 
should  stain  his  face,  and  in  Cleo's  clothes  accompany  the 
princess,  leaving  the  slave  concealed  in  the  pavilion. 


ASAPH.  61 


CHAPTER   IX. 

FESTIVAL   TO    ASTARTE. 

ALL  day  long  Elia  went  between  the  palace  and  pavil 
ion,  learning  what  she  could  of  the  proceedings  of  Dumah, 
and  the  latest  intelligence  brought  by  couriers  to  the  king 
of  the  approach  of  the  enemy  to  Jerusalem. 

At  length  the  day  passed,  and  the  beautiful  sunset,  that 
never  failed  to  delight  the  beholder,  faded  to  a  tender 
gray;  then  the  moon  arose  at  her  full  and  seemed  to  turn 
the  night  into  day  again. 

Two  figures  emerged  unchallenged  from  the  palace 
gates;  the  guards  all  recognized  the  princess  and  her 
maid;  they  never  suspected  that  the  boy  whom  all  were 
seeking  passed  before  their  eyes  under  the  disguise  of  a 
female  slave.  Elia  laughed. 

"  Is  it  not  pleasant  to  thee  when  even  the  king's  armed 
men  lower  their  spears  at  thy  approach?" 

"  Nay,  not  at  mine,  but  thine,  oh,  princess!" 

"It  is  the  same  from  this  time  on:  thou  art  my 
brother." 

So  they  passed  on  into  the  streets.  Asaph  was  speech 
less  with  wonder  at  all  he  saw.  The  people  were  dressed 
in  their  best  garments;  the  maidens  in  pure  white,  with 
beautiful  wreaths  of  flowers  upon  their  heads. 

At  the  top  of  every  street  were  little  brazen  altars, 
beautifully  sculptured  and  of  graceful  shape;  at  each  a 


62  ASAPH. 

group  of  the  most  beautiful  maidens  of  Jerusalem  and  the 
country  round  about  constantly  offered  the  cakes  to  As- 
tarte.  Their  brothers  had  gathered  the  wood,  their  fathers 
built  the  fires,  and  their  mothers  made  the  cakes,  so  that 
all  took  part  in  this  gentle  worship.  But  Jeremiah  had 
denounced  it  again  and  again  as  displeasing  to  the  Lord; 
for  as  Astarte  was  the  goddess  of  fertility,  sometimes  very 
impure  ceremonies  were  observed  in  her  honor. 

Asaph  looked  on,  but  would  take  no  part  in  the  pro 
ceedings,  not  even  offering  to  hold  the  princess's  dainty  lit 
tle  basket  containing  the  eakes,  but  he  held  her  mantle  as 
her  slave  would  do. 

The  moon  rose  higher  and  higher,  and  the  altars  on 
every  house-top  and  in  every  street  sent  up  clouds  of  in 
cense;  the  music  sounded  louder  and  louder,  and  the  burn 
ing  cakes,  mixed  with  sweet  spices,  sent  up  a  grateful  per 
fume,  and  the  fires  Hashed  bright!}"  as,  ever  and  anon,  the 
youths  poured  their  drink  offerings  of  wine  to  be  lapped 
up  by  the  flames. 

The  maidens  danced  and  sung,  and  the  youths  gathered 
round  them  and  played  upon  their  pipes,  and  the  scene 
was  very  pretty  save  to  those  who  feared  Jehovah's  wrath. 

Jiut  as  they  eat  of  the  cakes  and  drank  of  the  wine  the 
scene  became  wilder,  the  dancing  more  fantastic,  the 
music  more  seductive,  and  the  youths  more  demonstrative. 

How  lovely  Klia  appeared!  and  how  gracefully  she 
danced;  but  Asaph's  face  was  clouded,  and  as  she  neared 
him  in  her  enthusiasm  he  whispered: 

"  Come,  oh,  princess!" 

In  a  moment  she  was  bv  his  side. 


ASAPH.  63 

"  Does  it  not  please  thee,  Asaph?"  she  murmured. 

"  Ko,  I  like  it  riot/' he  replied.  "Let  us  return  to 
the  palace." 

"  Shall  we  go  by  the  Temple,  rny  brother?" 

"  Ay!"  and  Asaph's  face  lighted  up  with  joy. 

It  was  a  long  walk,  but  the  sight  of  the  beautiful 
portico  that  skirted  the  height  of  the  Tyropean  Valley  and 
with  triple  rosvs  of  immense  marble  pillars  led  to  the  Tem 
ple  was  reward  enough  for  any  labor. 

"  How  beautiful!  how  beautiful!"  Asaph  murmured; 
and  when  they  came  in  sight  of  the  Temple  he  bowed  his 
head  in  awe. 

Jeremiah  was  on  the  steps  that  led  down  to  the  ascent 
to  the  city  of  David,  and  from  this  elevated  position  he 
hurled  denunciations  against  the  idolaters. 

"  Woe  unto  them  that  burn  incense  on  the  house-top  to 
other  gods!  Woe,  woe  unto  them  that  worship  the  hosts 
of  heaven!  I  will  break  them  as  a  potter's  vessel.  I  will 
send  them  as  strangers  into  a  land  they  know  not  of. 
Judah  shall  be  captive,  and  the  daughter  of  Zion  shall 
be  a  hissing  and  a  shame!" 

Asaph  stopped  and  listened  in  wonder. 

"  Praise  Jehovah!  Jehovah's  name  be  praised!"  Then 
as  the  prophet  caught  sight  of  Elia's  white  robe  and 
wreath  he  cried:  "  And  thou  too,  oh,  maiden!  hast  defiled 
thyself  in  worshiping  Astarte.  Woe,  woe  to  the  idola 
ters!"  and  seizing  her  robe  he  tore  it  in  twain. 

Asaph's  blood  rushed  faster  to  his  heart,  and  his  eyes 
blazed  in  anger. 

"  .Not  so  rough,  good  priest!"  he  cried,  and  raised  his 


64  ASAPH. 

hand  and  struck  him  in  his  rage.  "  This  is  but  a  young 
maiden,  and  used  to  gentler  treatment.'' 

"  Ay,  ay,  and  who  art  thou,  with  a  boy's  voice  and 
strength,  in  the  garments  of  a  slave  girl,  that  dare  to 
strike  the  prophet  of  the  Lord?" 

"  Jeremiah! — I  crave  thy  pardon.  Yes,  I  am  a  boy,  too 
tender  in  years,  and  absence  from  Jerusalem,  to  know  the 
prophet  of  my  people." 

"  Ay,  a  boy!''  and  Jeremiah,  struck  with  his  submissive 
gentleness,  pressed  the  mantle  from  off  his  head,  and  see 
ing  his  golden  hair,  cried: 

"Ah!  the  long-lost  offering  to  Moloch!" 

"  Thou  sayest  truly;  but  I  hate  that  cruel  image  of 
brass  and  stone!  1  would  worship  Israel's  true  God,  the 
great  Jehovah,  if  thou  wilt  teach  thy  poor  servant." 

"  So  thou  didst  escape  him?  Joy!  joy!  And  who  is  the 
damsel?" 

"  Jehoiakim's  daughter,  for  whom  I  was  to  have  been 
sacrificed.  She  despises  Moloch,  too,  and  together  we  will 
learn  of  thee. " 

"  Good  Jeremiah,  can  we  not  come  in  the  day-time  on 
these  steps  and  listen  to  thee?"  asked  Elia. 

"  Ay,  and  praise  to  the  Lord  that  the  lambs  are  coming 
back  to  His  fold!" 

Then  they  made  obeisance  to  him  and  returned  to  the 
palace.  From  thence  Asaph  went  to  his  mother  in  the 
cave. 


AS  A  PH.  65 


CHAPTER   X. 

TRAGIC   DEATH    OF   THE   HIGH    PRIEST   OF   MOLOCH. 

RUMORS  of  war  filled  the  very  air  of  Jerusalem.  King 
Xeeho,  of  Egypt,  had  been  vanquished  at  Charchemish  by 
Nebuchadnezzar,  who  thereupon  overran  all  Syria  with  his 
army,  excepting  Judea. 

Necho  was  Jehoiakim's  friend,  for  he  had  made  him 
king,  instead  of  his  brother,  and  although  he  paid  him 
yearly  tribute  of  one  hundred  talents  of  silver  and  one  of 
gold,  yet  he  relied  on  him  for  protection  against  the  more 
powerful  surrounding  kings. 

The  glory  had  departed  from  Israel.  In  Solomon's 
magnificent  reign  hundreds  of  petty  kings  had  yearly 
brought  tribute  to  his  hand,  and  more  powerful  rulers  sent 
or  brought  him  splendid  presents  of  friendship;  but  now 
Jeboiakim  had  no  friend  to  depend  on  for  help  but  Necho, 
and  he  had  retired  into  his  own  kingdom  with  a  diminished 
army. 

The  news  of  the  approach  of  Nebuchadnezzar  spread 
consternation  through  Jerusalem.  The  people,  weakened 
by  luxurious  living  and  dissipation,  had  become  effemi 
nate,  and  the  war  spirit  had  nearly  died  out  of  them.  They 
no  more  sallied  forth  from  their  many  gates  with  flying- 
banners  and  shrill  trumpet-calls  to  the  attack.  Fear  took 
the  place  of  martial  ardor,  and  they  tried  to  propitiate  their 
many  gods.  Jeremiah  constantly  thundered  in  their  ears: 

3 


66  ASAPH. 

"  Go  not  after  strange  gods,  to  serve  them  and  to  wor 
ship  them,  and  provoke  me  not  to  anger  with  the  work  of 
your  hands!  Saith  the  Lord:  '  Uepend  not  on  Egypt;  she 
is  a  broken  reed  to  them  that  lean  upon  her.'  Their 
fathers  have  forgotten  my  name  for  Baal.  '  Woe  unto  the 
pastors  that  scatter  the  sheep  of  my  pasture!'  suitli  the 
Lord." 

But  it  was  all  in  vain,  for  it  had  been  some  four  years 
since  there  had  been  any  regular  service  in  the  Temple,  and 
that  was  only  half-hearted  and  through  fear,  for  at  that 
time  the  King  of  Babylon  was  at  war  with  Egypt,  and 
they  wished  to  propitiate  all  the  gods  for  the  sake  of  their 
ally,  as  well  as  for  themselves,  so,  as  Jeremiah  had  thun 
dered  in  their  ears  so  often,  they  had  at  last  a  day  of  fast 
ing  and  prayer  to  Jehovah  in  the  Temple;  but  at  the  same 
time  they  worshiped  Baal,  Moloch,  Astoroth,  or  Astarte, 
and  all  the  hosts  of  heaven.  Still  there  were  many  who 
had  never  forsaken  the  worship  of  the  true  God,  and  these 
suffered  and  wept,  and  prayed  in  secret,  for  Jehoiakim 
was  a  cruel  man,  easily  offended,  with  only  one  tender 
spot  in  his  heart — love  for  his  own  children. 

Jeremiah  remembered  how  near  he  was  to  being  stoned 
to  death  in  the  first  year  of  Jehoiakim 's  reign,  even  by  the 
accusations  of  the  priests  and  prophets,  and  that  only  the 
kind  words  of  the  princes  saved  him. 

Urijah,  who  also  prophesied  the  destruction  of  Jerusa 
lem  for  its  wickedness,  had  been  taken  from  Egypt, 
whence  he  had  lied,  and  had  been  killed  by  the  sword  of 
Jehoiakim  himself. 

Still,  Jeremiah  was  not  afraid,  but  prophesied  again  and 


ASAPH.  67 

again  as  the  words  came  to  him  from  the  Lord.  He  had 
been  imprisoned  and  put  in  stocks,  but  still  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  thunder  forth  the  Lord's  denunciations  against 
the  sins  of  the  king  and  people. 

But  now  the  day  had  arrived  for  the  great  sacrifice  to 
Moloch.  All  former  magnificence  of  paraphernalia, 
length  of  procession  and  number  of  offerings  were  to  be 
surpassed  by  this  last  act  of  cruel  grandeur  in  King  Jehoi- 
akim's  reign.  Those  who  did  not  participate  through 
choice  did  so  through  fear,  for  the  mighty  enemy  was 
almost  at  their  gates,  and  this  was  the  last  supreme  effort 
to  gain  the  intercession  of  the  gods. 

Uumah  had  scoured  the  city  and  the  adjacent  villages 
for  the  most  beautiful  children  that  could  be  found,  and 
many  mothers  were  wailing,  rending  their  garments,  and 
throwing  dust  and  ashes  on  their  heads. 

But  Dumah's  heart  was  of  iron,  as  inaccessible  to  pity 
as  was  that  of  the  horrid  thing  of  brass  which  he  so  assidu 
ously  served. 

From  early  morning  Asaph  had  been  in  the  pavilion 
with  the  princess.  lie  was  restless  and  unhappy,  walking 
the  floor  and  wringing  his  hands,  and  calling  on  Jehovah 
to  prevent  the  wicked  slaughter. 

"  Dear  brother,  I  too  hate  the  hideous  Moloch,  who 
caused  that  cruel  scar  upon  thy  cheek.  No  god  that  was 
good  could  have  it  in  his  heart  thus  to  mar  thy  glorious 
beauty!" 

"  Oh,  princess,  what  can  we  do— how  stop  the  inhuman 
sacrifice?  It  is  for  wickedness  like  this  that  the  Most 


68  ASAPII. 

High,  the  God  of  gods,  is  about  to  punish  Jerusalem,  for 
He  hath  said  He  will  utterly  destroy  the  idols;  '  for  Jeru 
salem  is  ruined,  and  Judah  has  fallen,  because  their  tongues 
and  their  doings  are  against  the  Lord!' ' 

"  I  was  pleading  with  the  king,  my  father,  when  Dumah 
came.  He  held  me  silent  and  spell-bound  with  his  cruel 
eye;  my  tongue  refused  to  speak  another  word." 

"  We  are  but  children.  Oh,  for  the  wisdom  of  age  to 
plead  for  the  poor  little  babes!" 

Just  then  the  music  sounded. 

"  Let  us  hasten  and  snatch  them  from  the  cruel  fires,  as 
my  mother  did!"  cried  Asaph,  excitedly. 

"  There  are  forty  of  them,  my  brother,"  replied  Elia. 

Asaph  buried  his  face  in  Jiis  hands  and  wept.  The  music 
came  nearer  and  nearer. 

"  Come,  let  us  go  upon  the  walls.  I  know  a  place 
where  the  foliage  is  so  thick  that  we  can  see  without  being 
observed  by  any." 

"  Oh,  the  horror  of  it!     1  could  not;  yet — yet — " 

He  seemed  to  be  drawn  irresistibly.  The  princess 
clasped  his  hand,  and  together  they  drew  nearer  to  the  wall. 

''  That  is  the  spot;  let  us  quickly  mount  the  steps  used 
by  the  priests,  who  sound  the  trumpets.  'Tis  not  quite 
time  for  them  to  come,  but  wait  a  moment  behind  this 
bush." 

And  she  sped  away  as  swiftly  as  a  young  deer.  In  a 
few  minutes  she  returned  with  a  large  mantle.  Throwing 
it  over  Asaph,  she  drew  him  after  her. 

Soon  they  had  mounted  to  the  top  of  the  wall,  and  the 
valley  and  grove  were  plainly  seen;  then  they  hid  behind  a 


ASAPH.  69 

net-work  of  vines,  and,  slightly  parting  them,  they  could 
see  in  safety. 

Louder  and  louder  sounded  the  music,  and  nearer  came 
the  procession.  As  the  king's  garden  projected  so  far  into 
the  valley,  they  could  plainly  see  the  imposing  pageant  as 
it  issued  from  the  Fountain  Gate,  glittering  and  dazzling 
in  the  sun. 

"  It  comes  to  me  like  the  realization  of  a  beautiful 
dream.  How  happy  I  was!  1  felt  as  if  1  had  the  wings 
of  a  bird,  and  was  lifted  high  above  the  earth;  but,  oh, 
the  horror  of  the  ending!  the  hideous  Moloch!  Oh,  so 
horrible,  none  can  tell  who  have  not  seen  him!  I  shrunk 
from  him  in  disgust  and  loathing;  and  then  his  cruel  fires 
made — this!"  and  he  pointed  to  his  cheek. 

Elia  gently  touched  his  scar  with  her  pure  lips. 

"  I  hate  the  wicked  Moloch,  too,  and  will  pray  to  the 
gentle  Astarte,  the  queen  of  heaven,  to  quench  his  fires 
that  did  the  cruel  deed." 

"  One — two — three — forty  chariots  of  the  sun  and  forty 
innocent  children!  See,  princess,  their  looks  are  exalted; 
they  fancy  yon  cruel  beast  a  god!  Oh,  pity,  pity  thy 
lumbs!  Oh,  great  Jehovah,  pity!"  and  the  tears  vpn 
down  his  cheeks;  he  felt  as  though  he  was  going  to  his 
own  death. 

Suddenly  the  trumpets  sounded  so  near  that  he  could 
have  touched  the  robes  of  the  priests  with  his  outstretched 
hand. 

The  gorgeous  curtains  of  the  grove  were  drawn  aside, 
and  there  stood  the  immense  braziers  of  fire,  fiercer  and 
more  cruel  than  ever,  for  they  had  more  work  to  do. 


70  ASAPH. 

All  the  ceremonies  were  progressing  simultaneously. 
The  first  victims  passed  quickly  through  the  fires,  the  tophs 
beat  loudly,  and  the  curtains  closed  and  shut  out  the  sight; 
but  the  cries  of  agony  could  not  be  stilled  by  drums  or 
trumpets.  , 

Asaph  turned  deathly  pale,  clinched  his  hands,  and  would 
have  thrown  himself  over  the  wall  in  his  excitement  and 
rushed  upon  the  murderous  priest,  but  Elia  whispered: 

"  It  would  be  only  one  more  victim  to  the  hideous  Mo 
loch.  Live  to  be  a  man,  then  let  them  feel  your  power. " 

Again  and  again  the  fearful  cries  of  agony!  Asaph  felt 
sick  and  weak  and  almost  dead. 

Again  the  curtains  were  drawn  aside. 

"  More  fuel  for  great  Moloch!"  cried  Dumah.  "  More, 
more!  Let  it  reach  up  to  heaven!  Ah!  those  cries  are 
music  to  His  ears;  lie  will  protect  Jerusalem.  More  fuel! 
More,  more!" 

The  flames  hissed  and  roared,  and  sent  whirling  sparks 
up  into  the  air — the  trees  were  covered  with  them. 

Again  the  priest  led  a  victim  forward.  The  child  hesi 
tated.  Dumah  pushed  him  with  his  hand,  but  suddenly  a 
cracking  sound  was  heard.  The  priest  was  so  intent  in  his 
murderous  work  that  he  did  not  notice  it.  Then  an  im 
mense  branch  of  a  neighboring  tree,  burned  partly  through 
by  the  fierce  fire,  could  no  longer  sustain  its  own  weight, 
but  fell  with  a  mighty  crash,  and  striking  one  of  the  tall 
braziers,  threw  it,  hissing  and  blazing,  on  the  high  priest's 
body.  For  a  moment  there  was  a  hush  of  horror. 

Then  the  shrieks  of  agony  and  yells  and  imprecations  of 
I) u muli  were  fearful  to  the  ear. 


ASAPH.  71 

His  face  was  drawn  into  fearful  contortions  as  he  threw 
his  head  from  side  to  side  in  agony.  His  limbs,  stretched 
out,  were  beating  the  air,  and  curled  like  snakes  in  excru 
ciating  pain.  His  struggles  grew  less  and  less;  one  last 
cry  of  agony  rent  the  air,  and  the  fierce  flames,  made 
fiercer  by  his  flesh,  lapped  him  up,  and  in  a  little  while 
only  a  heap  of  ashes  remained  of  what  had  been  but  now 
the  cruel  high  priest  of  Moloch. 

Fear  seized  the  multitude.     Asaph  sprung  to  his  feet. 

"  Jehovah  is  avenged  for  the  blood  of  the  innocents!" 
he  cried. 

The  priest  upon  the  wall  sprung  back  in  fright,  lost  his 
footing,  and  fell  down  on  the  sharp  rocks,  crushed  and 
dying  in  the  valley  of  Hinnon. 

The  multitude  fled  in  every  direction,  rending  their  gar 
ments  and  casting  away  all  that  impeded  them  in  their 
flight.  The  gates  of  Jerusalem  were  closed,  and  horror 
froze  the  city  into  silence. 


72  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER   XL 

HELAH   AMI)   ASAPH,    IX     DISGl'ISK,    SELL    FISH    IX    JEIJU- 
SA  LEM. 

WHEN  Asapli  informed  his  mother  of  the  tragic  fate  of 
the  high  priest,  she  bowed  her  head,  and  said : 

"  I  sorrow  for  the  pain  the  dreadful  sight  must  have 
caused  thy  tender  heart." 

"  Yes,  my  mother,  though  he  sought  my  life,  my  heart 
nearly  ceased  to  beat  at  sight  of  his  intense  sufferings,  and 
cold  drops  of  sweat  stood  upon  my  brow,  and  I  prayed  Je 
hovah  to  have  pity  even  on  him,  and  end  his  agony. 
Then  it  seemed  as  if  the  great  God  had  allowed  Durnah's 
ferocious  wickedness  to  be  its  own  avenger,  and  thus  save 
the  lives  of  most  of  those  poor  innocents/' 

"  Moloch  has  claimed  his  own  at  last,  and  we  are  free, 
my  son — free  to  return  to  Jerusalem!"  cried  Ilelah,  with 
enraptured  gaze  toward  the  city  of  her  love. 

"  To  live  there  and  go  in  and  out  of  its  gates,  free  and 
unmolested!'"  asked  Asaph,  eagerly. 

'  Yes,  my  son.     We  have  a  beautiful  house  there,  with 
gardens  on  the  roof  and  a  littJe  altar  to  Astarte. " 

Then,  seeing  the  smile  leave  his  face,  she  added: 

"  We  will  not  offer  incense  to  the  gentle  goddess,  if 
thou  disapproved!. " 

"  Not  1,  but  the  great  Jehovah,  my  mother." 
'  We  have  all  the  comforts  that  pertain  to  a  rich  man's 


ASA PH.  73 

house,  my  son.  I  wonder  which  of  my  kin  are  living 
there,  to  !ceep  it  safe  for  Ihe  widowed  sister?" 

"•  When  shall  we  go,  my  mother?  Then  can  I  worship 
in  the  Temple,  and  listen  to  Jeremiah.  Let  us  hasten!" 

"  Not  too  hastily,  my  son;  we  must  consider  for  awhile. 
King  Jehoiakim  still  lives.  It  is  best  to  test  our  safety 
first,  before  risking  all.  We  will  leave  the  cave  just  as  it 
is,  so  the  flocks  can  find  shelter  at  night,  and —  We  have 
been  long  absent,  who  knows  what  may  have  happened 
during  all  these  years?" 

"  Thou  reasoneth  well,  my  mother.  What  shall  our 
disguise  be?" 

Helali  sunk  her  head  in  her  hands,  and  remained  buried 
in  thought  for  some  time.  At  last  she  said: 

"  We  will  enter  Jerusalem  at  the  Fish  Gate,  near  which 
is  a  market.  There,  with  our  basket  of  fish,  we  can  hear 
the  gossip  of  the  street,  and  by  a  question  here  and  there 
see  our  way  before  us.  Go,  my  son,  and  gather  many 
stout,  thin  reeds  of  papyrus,  and  we  will  weave  them  into 
baskets  and  into  nets  to  catch  the  fish  of  Keclron." 

Asaph  kissed  her  on  the  forehead,  he  was  so  happy, 
and  went  quickly  about  the  work. 

Helah  brought  from  their  concealment  her  scarlet  and 
purple  petticoats  that  she  had  saved,  knowing  that  when 
they  returned  to  Jerusalem,  which  she  had  ever  in  her 
mind,  that  they  must  do  so  in  civilized  dress,  not  in  the 
hairy  robes  of  barbarians. 

Of  the  purple  one  she  made  a  tunic  and  turban  for 
Asaph,  and  the  remnant  of  the  large  black  veil  she  gath 
ered  into  a  mantle.  For  herself  she  put  the  red  skirt  over 


74  ASAPH. 

her  ordinary  dress,  aud  turned  a  curious  woven  strip, 
which  she  had  made  of  feathers,  into  a  bright  head-dress, 
and  her  own  mantle  completed  the  costume.  They  both 
had  sandals  of  the  skins  of  beasts  of  prey  that  Asaph  had 
shot  from  time  to  time. 

Soon  Asaph  returned  with  a  large  armful  of  reeds,  and 
they  both  set  to  work  to  weave  baskets.  This  was  not  their 
first  experiment  in  reed -work;  many  articles  around  the 
cave  attested  their  skill. 

"To-night  we  will  catch  fish  for  our  baskets,  and  to 
morrow  morning — oh,  joy! — 1  shall  be  in  loved  Jerusa 
lem!" 

When  the  baskets  and  nets  were  completed  it  was  almost 
dark,  so  Asaph  hastened  to  that  part  of  the  brook  where 
he  had  caught  fish  before;  but  he  was  tender-hearted  and 
was  slow  to  take  the  life  of  the  meanest  thing,  and  then 
only  for  necessity.  But  now  he  must  do  so,  and  do  his 
best  to  have  the  fish  large  and  fine.  He  set  the  nets,  and 
then  returned  to  the  cave. 

14  Now  let  us  go  to  the  garden,"  said  Ilelah,  "  and  may 
this  be  the  last  time  that  we  must  wait  for  night  to  cover 
us." 

They  proceeded  almost  in  silence,  save  a  word  now  and 
then;  both  were  occupied  with  their  own  thoughts. 

Asaph 's  heart  beat  faster  as  he  approached  nearer  to 
Jerusalem. 

He  looked  at  those  high  walls  and  magnificent  buildings 
showing  above  them  with  renewed  interest,  and  the  cry  of 
the  watchmen,  as  they  paced  slowly  to  an  fro,  of  "All's 
well!"  sounded  like  sweetest  music  to  his  ears. 


ASA PH.  75 

When  they  reached  the  garden,  Asaph  began  to  pluck 
the  fruits. 

"  Only  enough  for  the  day,  my  sou,  and  some  bright 
green  leaves  to  cover  the  fish.  I  came  for  other  things — 
saffron  and  aloes — but  1  know  not  if  they  are  here." 

Saffron  and  aloes!  He  had  never  heard  the  words  before. 
He  wondered  what  they  were.  Respect  for  parents  made 
the  Israelitish  children  not  too  free  with  questions. 

"  Ah,  here  is  saffron — 1  know  it  by  its  leaf;  and  here  is 
lignaloes,  both  good  for  medicine  and  other  uses,  as  you 
shall  see." 

When  they  had  gathered  what  they  desired,  they  slowly 
returned,  watching  the  lights  in  the  towers  till  they  disap 
peared  in  the  distance  or  were  hid  by  the  intervening 
foliage. 

They  went  to  rest  early,  wishing  to  enter  Jerusalem 
when  first  the  gates  were  opened  in  the  morning. 

Their  sleep  was  always  sweet  after  the  labors  of  the  day; 
then,  too,  the  silence  of  the  cave,  shut  off  from  all  the 
noises  of  the  outside  world,  allowed  them  to  rest  undis 
turbed;  so  each  morning  they  arose  refreshed  and  strong 
for  what  the  day  might  bring  forth. 

They  arose  early  and  happy.  Their  movements  were 
quicker,  their  eyes  brighter  than  usual,  for  were  they  not 
to  return  to  Jerusalem?  The  very  thought  made  the  blood 
flow  faster  through  their  veins. 

"  Here,  my  son,  are  thy  garments;  and  here  is  saffron 
to  stain  thy  fair  skin,  that  thou  shalt  resemble  one  of  those 
for  whom  thou  art  to  pass;  this  turban,  with  the  ends  fall 
ing  thus,  will  conceal  thy  scar;  but  go  now  and  see  what 


76  ASAPH. 

fish  the  nets  doth  hold,  and  lay  them  in  our  baskets  while 
I  prepare  our  meat. " 

When  he  returned  the  meal  was  ready;  so  showing  the 
baskets  to  his  mother,  he  said: 

"  Surely  these  will  sell  in  the  market-place.  See  how 
large  and  fine  they  are,  and  how  like  pearls  the  dainty 
colors  of  their  scales." 

Then  they  sat  and  eat. 

"  For  the  last  time  in  this  cave,  I  hope,"  said  Helah. 
'  Yet,  mother,  I  have  been  very  happy  here.     1  shall 
miss  the  milking  of  our  goats,  and  the  pretty  frolic  of  the 
gentle  little  kids,  and— oh,  my  birds!" 

"  Shall  we  take  some  with  us?" 

"  Xo,  my  mother,  1  would  not  have  them  dash  their 
pretty  heads  against  the  bars  and  pine  and  die  for  liberty. 
It  were  a  selfish  love  that  placed  not  the  happiness  of  the 
loved  beyond  its  own." 

u  Let  us  haste — the  day  grows  light.  Put  on  these  gar 
ments — now  the  saffron.  1  would  scarcely  recognize  thue, 
my  son;  draw  the  mantle  over  all." 

In  a  short  time  she  also  was  ready,  but  her  face  was 
stained  darker  than  his,  as  would  be  natural  of  one  of 
maturer  years. 

Taking  their  baskets  of  fish,  they  left  the  cave.  At  the 
entrance  the  goats  were  waiting  for  them;  but  he  only 
stroked  their  soft  hair,  and  murmured  low: 

"  Jehovah  protect  you  from  the  beasts  of  the  forest." 

Then  they  hastened  away. 

It  was  quite  a  distance  to  the  Fish  Gate;  they  had  to  pass 
the  king's  garden,  the  beautiful  pool  of  Siloam,  the  Sheep 


ASA  PH.  77 

Gate,  then  up  the  valley  of  Jehosaphat,  passing  the  citadel, 
till  at  last  it  was  reached,  after  skirting  nearly  two  sides  of 
Jerusalem. 

The  Fish  Gate  was  a  very  important  and  prominent 
gate,  but  not  so  large  and  splendid  as  many  others.  As 
soon  as  they  entered  they  noticed  the  vacant  place  was 
crowded  with  wailing  people. 

"Ah,  lord!  Ah,  poor  priest!"  they  cried  and  rent 
their  garments  and  tore  their  hair. 

Asaph,  noticing  the  blood  trickling  down  their  arms, 
asked  in  a  whisper  the  reason.  His  mother  replied: 

"  They  are  mourning  for  Moloch's  high  priest." 

Then  he  noticed  them  cutting  their  arms  and  legs  with 
little  knives;  this  they  did,  not  out  of  love  for  Dumah,  but 
out  of  fear;  and  so  he  was  mourned  all  over  the  city. 

They  stopped  in  the  market  and  putting  down  their 
baskets,  they  uncovered  the  fish.  The  other  venders 
stared  at  them  some  time  in  silence.  They  were  strangers 
and  excited  their  curiosity  by  their  beautiful  and  dignified 
bearing;  but  soon  they  began  to  ply  them  with  all  sorts 
of  questions.  Ilelah  said  but  little,  but  Asaph  replied  to 
their  questions  by  asking  others,  and  soon  they  learned  that 
Jerusalem  was  full  of  people  from  the  adjacent  villages 
and  those  who  still  dwelt  iu  tents,  they  having  fled  before 
the  approach  of  Nebuchadnezzar's  great  army;  also  that 
Jehoiakim  was  not  preparing  the  people  to  fight  against 
him. 

"  Egypt  will  ne'P  us/'  cried  an  old  market-woman, 
who  sold  citrons,  leeks,  and  garlics,  "  for  do  we  not  pay 
tribute?" 


78  ASAPH. 

"  And  our  walls  are  strong,"  cried  an  aged  Kenizite. 
Then  in  a  whisper:  "  And  Jehovah  has  not  wholly  deserted 
His  people." 

Asaph  looked  at  him  and  bowed  his  head;  that  pleased 
the  old  man,  and  he  smiled  and  said: 

"  Whence  comest  thou,  pretty  boy?" 

"  From  the  wilderness,"  Asaph  replied. 

"  And  has  fear  struck  all  them  that  dwell  in  tents?  So 
thou  earnest  to  Jerusalem — good,  good,  she  will  protect 
her  children." 

Near  them,  resting  against  a  pillar,  stood  a  black-eyed 
girl  with  marked  Jewish  features.  She  was  poorly  clad, 
with  here  and  there  little  attempts  at  coquetry — a  brass 
ornament,  a  ribbon,  or  a  plaited  armlet  of  reeds  dyed  red. 
At  her  feet  was  a  basket  of  beautiful  flowers.  She  had 
been  looking  at  Asaph  with  undisguised  admiration,  and 
listening  to  his  every  word.  At  length  she  said: 

"  Will  it  please  thee  to  tell  us  thy  name?" 

Asaph  looked  at  her  in  amazement. 

"  Nay;  it  can  not  profit  thee  to  know;  we  are  but  way 
farers  in  Jerusalem." 

Just  then  two  familiar  figures  passed — a  little  maiden 
with  her  face  covered,  and  the  slave  girl  Cleo.  Asaph 
started. 

"  Why  dost  thou  start,  pretty  boy,  at  sight  of  an  Ethio 
pian?  Hast  never  seen  one  before?" 

Asaph  answered  not,  but  gazed  after  them. 

Meanwhile  Ilelah  had  sold  nearly  all  her  basket  of  fish. 
The  poor  were  glad  to  buy  thorn  so  cheap  and  of  such  a 
dignified  woman;  so  she  took  some  of  Asaph. 


ASAPH.  79 

"  Ah,  my  mother,  I  did  not  think;  I  do  not  understand 
the  money  or  what  to  ask." 

Helah.  smiled  and  whispered: 

"  We  do  not  need  the  money;  it  is  only  to  see  and  hear 
that  we  came;  sell  them  to  the  poor  for  a  penny  each." 

"Kay,  that  is  not  enough,"  said  the  flower-girl,  hear 
ing  the  last  few  words.  "  I  will  give  thee  more.  My 
father  is  a  Levite;  and  as  but  few  offerings  are  brought  to 
the  Temple  now,  we  have  to  buy  our  meat." 

"  Does  he  worship  the  great  Jehovah?"  cried  Asaph. 
''  Does  he  serve  in  the  Temple?  Take  all!" 

His  mother  touched  his  arm. 

"  Ah,  here  are  two  fine  fish;  give  them  to  thy  father  as 
an  offering  to  the  Lord." 

"Thou  art  very  kind;  and  my  father  will  thank  thee, 
for  the  service  of  Baal  and  Astoroth  does  not  give  us  the ' 
good  things  the  Temple  service  did." 

"  Art  thou  idolaters  now?"  asked  Asaph,  in  horror. 

Again  Helah  touched  his  arm. 

"  \Ve  c'o  not  call  ourselves  so,  but  we  worship  the  gods 
who  have  helped  our  enemies,  hoping  by  so  doing  that 
they  will  help  us  too." 

Asaph's  brow  clouded. 

"  Kay,  look  not  so  sad,  and  Haggith  will  give  thee  a 
bunch  of  sweet  violets." 

But  he  put  her  hand  away  without  a  word. 

The  princess  and  Cleo  returned  and  stopped  before  the 
flower-girl  and  bought  a  bunch  of  violets;  then  Elia,  rais 
ing  her  eyes,  uttered  a  cry  of  joy,  but  Asaph  gave  her  a 
warning  look,  and  Cleo  grinned  and  showed  her  teeth. 


80  ASAPH. 

"  Aha!"  thought  Haggith,  "  what  mystery  is  this?  And 
who  is  the  girl,  with  her  grinning  slave?" 

"  Wilt  buy  a  fish,  young  maiden?"  said  Asaph,  giving 
her  another  warning  look.  "  They  are  fresh  this  morning 
from  the  Kedron;  and  how  they  shine!  they  are  fit  fora 
king's  table." 

"  Ay,  boy,  they  are.  Cleo,  take  them  all,  and  pay  him 
well." 

The  slave  emptied  the  fish  into  her  basket  and  handed 
him  a  golden  coin.  Asaph  had  never  seen  one  before,  to 
remember,  and  stood  looking  at  it. 

"  Give  her  the  change,"  whispered  Jlaggith. 

Asaph  gave  her  the  few  pennies  he  had  taken,  and  Hag 
gith  laughed  out  loudly: 

"  Thy  fish  have  suddenly  raised  in  value,  my  pretty 
boy. " 

Elia  looked  at  her  and  frowned. 

"  Thou  needst  not  laugh.  The  whole  coin  is  his.  Take 
back  thy  pennies.  Cleo,  let  us  go,"  and  with  a  sign  to 
Asaph  they  passed  on. 

"  Thou  hast  a  good  friend  and  a  rich  one  too  in  yonder 
proud  little  maiden,"  said  Ilaggith,  a  little  hurt. 

Now  all  the  fish  were  sold,  and  Ilelah,  taking  Asaph 's 
hand,  said: 

"  Come,  my  son,"  and  they  left  the  market-place. 

After  they  had  traversed  several  streets,  looking  about 
as  strangers  would,  they  entered  one  of  the  handsomest, 
and  Ilelah  said : 

"  Ah,  there  is  my  house,  just  beyond  that  cluster  of 
sycamore-trees:  it  is  beautiful  with  marble  pillars,  and  a 


ASAPH.  81 

fountain  in  the  court,  with  many  chambers  and  servants 
and  bond-maids.  Now  we  shall  see  it!  Oh,  joy,  iny  sou!" 

They  had  passed  the  trees,  and  she  was  pointing. 

"Ah!     There  it  is!" 

But  a  scene  of  devastation  greeted  them.  For  a  mo 
ment  Plelah  stood  bewildered,  then  she  said: 

"  Can  I  have  made  a  mistake?  So  many  years  have  passed 
my  memory  may  have  failed  me.  No,  there  is  the  house 
of  the  rich  Shapan,  and  there  Ilenedad  doth  reside,  and 
here  my  neighbor  Ezera;  and  my  house,  my  beautiful 
home,  is  utterly  destroyed  from  oil'  the  face  of  the  earth. 
Not  one  stone  left  upon  another!  Oh,  my  son!  my  son! 
AY oe  is  me!  Woe  is  me!"  and  she  wrung  her  hands  and 
cast  dust  upon  her  head. 

The  passers-by  stopped  to  inquire  her  sorrow,  and  Asaph 
said : 

"  Control  thyself,  my  mother,  and  let  us  pass  on;  the 
people  wonder." 

Helah  suppressed  the  exhibition  of  her  grief  as  much  as 
possible. 

They  hastened  to  their  nearest  kinsman;  but  the  same 
scene  of  desolation  greeted  them;  then  on  to  the  next;  the 
house  was  vacant  and  despoiled — so  it  was  with  all  her 
kin.  She  knew  of  no  one  to  whom  to  go  and  tell  her 
secret  and  her  grief. 

"  Let  us  go  back  to  our  friendly  cave,  my  mother,  and 
there  remain  at  night,  returning  each  morning  to  the 
market-place;  thus  shall  we  learn  all  that  happens,  and  in 
Jehvoah's  own  good  time  He  will  bring  us  to  our  own  in 
heritance." 


82  ASAPH. 

Helah  was  faint,  and  caught  his  arm. 

"  My  mother,  thou  must  have  food.  Come,  let  us  re 
turn  to  the  market." 

He  led  her  along  unresistingly,  a  sob  ever  and  anon 
breaking  from  her  closed  lips.  At  last  they  sat  in  a  little 
booth  in  the  market,  and  Asaph  bade  them  bring  a  piece 
of  roast  kid. 

"  For  this  once,  my  mother,  for  thou  art  weak  with 
grief;  but  thou  must  keep  thy  strength  for  glorious  things 
to  come  all  in  good  time;  now  some  wheaten  cakes  and 
bunches  of  ripe  grapes.  I  will  eat  with  thec,  my  mother." 

When  they  had  thus  refreshed  themselves,  they  walked 
about  and  bought  many  little  things  that  were  new  and 
strange  to  Asaph  but  had  been  common  even  to  the  bond 
women  of  Helah  those  years  ago. 

The  sun  was  setting,  so  they  hastened  to  the  Fountain 
Gate  and  passed  out  into  the  valley  of  Hinnon,  and  soon 
were  in  the  security  of  their  friendly  cave. 


ASAPH.  83 


CHAPTER  Xll. 

HAGGITH   THE    FLOWER-GIRU 

\VIIKX  the  market  closed,  Haggith  had  most  of  her 
wares  unsold.  This  was  because  it  was  a  day  of  mourning 
for  Dumah,  and  there  was  no  festival  to  any  of  the  gentler 
gods  or  goddesses,  so  she  delayed  to  return  to  her  home 
for  fear  of  her  father's  anger. 

"  Ah,  but  these  fine  fish  will  please  him.  I  can  not 
make  the  people  buy  my  flowers  if  they  want  them  not. 
Oh,  why  is  he  so  stern!" 

So  thinking,  she  wended  her  way  to  the  furthest  gate — 
foi  she  lived  in  the  high  fertile  plain  north  of  Jerusalem. 
Her  father,  Zaccur  the  Levite,  was  awaiting  her  at  the 
door  of  their  house;  and  when  he  saw  her  basket  so  full 
(for  she  had  placed  the  fish  beneath  the  flowers)  he 
grasped  her  by  the  arm  and  cried: 

"  Indolent  wretch,  ungrateful  daughter,  why  dost  thou 
return  with  these  unsold?" 

Haggith  winced  with  pain. 

"  Nay,  my  father,  wait  a  moment,"  and  she  uncovered 
the  fish.  "  See  what  a  stranger  sent  thee  as  an  offering  to 
Jehovah!" 

He  counted  the  money  she  gave  him. 

"  One — two — three.  Only  ten  pennies  and  a  farthing! 
Glutton,  thou  hast  bought  the  fish  for  thy  dainty  appetite! 


84  ASAPH. 

Thou  stolest  the  money,  and  to  cover  thy  theft  thou  dost 
tell  me  the  light  story  of  the  stranger's  gift." 

"No,  no,  my  father,  it  is  true,  1  swear  by  Astarte's 
altar!" 

The  Levite  smiled  grimly. 

"  That  is  a  slight  oath  to  one  who  has  worshiped  Je 
hovah." 

"  Yet  it  is  true — he  was  but  a  boy  younger  than  myself, 
but  oh,  so  beautiful!  and  his  mother  had  the  dignity  of  a 
queen;  they  were  selling  fish  in  the  market  near  the  gate." 

The  Levite  laughed  loudly. 

"  Selling  fish  with  queenly  dignity,  eh?  Come,  come, 
weigh  thy  words!" 

"  They  were  strangers;  so  I  spoke  kindly  to  the  boy. 
Was  it  not  meet  that  I  should  do  so,  my  father?" 

"  But  the  fish,  the  fish?"  he  asked,  impatiently. 

"  1  heard  the  mother  say  to  sell  them  to  the  poor  for  a 
penny  each,  so  I  offered  to  take  them  all — for  I  could  sell 
them  again;  but  when  1  said  thou  wert  a  Levite  his  face 
lighted  up  and  he  was  about  to  give  me  all  he  had,  when 
his  mother  touched  him;  then  he  sent  thee  the  two  finest 
as  a  present.  Soon  a  little  maiden  with  an  Ethiopian 
slave  came  by  and  bought  what  remained  and  gave  the 
boy  a  gold  piece.  They  exchanged  glances,  and — ' 

"Aha!  spies!  I'll  to  the  king;  ho  will  give  me  a  re 
ward;  and — 

Haggilh  turned  pale. 

"  Oh,  my  father!  should  it  not  be  true,  thou  woulclst 
have  innocent  blood  on  thy  hands;  do  not  betray  them 
yet;  wait,  wait  till  they  come  again,  and  1  will  watch." 


ASAPH.  85 

"  Ay,  learn  what  thou  canst.  1  should  get  gold,  gold, 
the  beautiful  yellow  gold!"  and  he  rubbed  his  hands. 

"  Come,  let  me  cook  the  fish,  for  I  know  that  thou  art 
ah  lingered. " 

Their  house  was  small  and  poor;  a  low  table  and  a  few 
stools  of  common  wood,  a  hearth  with  a  wide  chimney, 
and  a  few  pots  and  pans,  a  shelf  on  which  were  cups  and 
plates  and  other  household  necessaries  completed  the  fur 
nishing  of  the  living-room.  From  this  was  a  wide  passage, 
011  either  side  of  which  were  sleeping  chambers;  the  gar 
den  was  beyond,  the  sweet  odors  of  which  were  wafted 
through  the  house,  and  the  roses  nodded  in  at  the  little 
narrow  windows. 

''  What  a  waste!"  cried  Zaccur,  sniffing  the  air.  "  Oh, 
that  1  could  gather  this  rare  sweet  perfume  and  confine  it 
in  a  bottle,  the  nobles  would  give  me  money  for  it;  now  it 
delights  my  neighbors,  and  they  give  me  nothing,  noth 
ing!"  and  he  wrung  his  hands. 

Soon  Haggith  said:  "Come,  my  father,  the  fish  is 
ready,  and  here  is  bread  and  wine." 

Zaccur  sat  at  the  table,  and  she  stood  by  and  served 
him.  He  smacked  his  lips  and  said: 

"  JIaggith,  thou  needst  not  fright  the  boy;  the  fish  is 
good — perchance  he  may  send  me  more. " 

"  1  doubt  not  that  he  will  if  he  comes  again;  they  are 
mourning  for  Dumah  in  the  city.  Father,  the  market 
place  is  spattered  with  blood  and  tufts  of  hair  lay  on  the 
stones;  that  is  the  reason  that  I  could  not  sell  the  flow 
ers." 

"  I   liked    him   not;  he    was   a   proud,  hard   man,  and 


86  ASAPH. 

heaped  gold  to  himself  while  we  Levites  nearly  starved. 
And  Moloch  did  not  save  him?  Too  bad,  too  bad!"  and. 
Zaccur  rubbed  his  hands  and  smiled. 

******* 

King  Jehoiakim  had  witnessed  the  terrible  death  of  Mo 
loch's  high  priest,  and  was  borne  away  from  the  grove  in 
his  chariot,  nearly  unconscious  with  fright  and  horror. 
When  he  was  placed  upon  his  couch  little  Elia  knelt  by 
his  side  and  said : 

"  Oh,  my  father  and  my  lord,  go  not  again  to  the 
wicked  Moloch;  it  makes  thy  daughter  sad  to  see  thee 
suffer." 

His  only  answer  was  a  groan.  As  the  day  advanced  he 
drank  copiously  of  wine,  so  at  length  the  horror  subsided, 
and  he  became  himself  again. 

Elia  wondered  what  had  become  of  Asaph,  and  sent 
Cleo  several  times  into  the  garden  to  see,  but  he  did  not 
come,  neither  did  his  fearful  cries  sound  from  the  walls 
that  night  to  disturb  the  king. 

The  next  day  dawned,  but  still  no  Asaph  came. 

"  What  can  be  the  matter?  Cleo,  didst  thou  hear  of 
any  person  being  injured  in  the  grove  yesterday?"  Elia 
asked  her  slave. 

Cleo  thought. 

"  Big  man  burn  with  fire;  move  so,"  and  the  slave  imi 
tated  Dumah's  dying  contortions  of  agony. 

Elia  shuddered. 

"  Not  him;  the  boy  with  the  golden  hair — didst  see  him 
when  all  was  over?" 


ASAPH.  87 

For  Asaph  had  escaped  down  the  walls  and  mingled  with 
the  fleeing  multitude. 

Cleo  slowly  shook  her  head  and  said:  "  Him  a  god;  he 
no  be  hurt." 

The  next  morning  Elia  went  with  her  slave  to  the  mar 
ket,  thinking  she  might  learn  something  of  Asaph,  and 
there  she  had  seen  him  disguised  as  a  fisher-boy.  What 
did  it  mean? 

When  night  came  she  watched  at  her  window  till  late; 

but  no  Asaph  appeared,  so  sighing,  she  went  to  her  couch. 
*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

In  the  cave  outside  Jerusalem  Ilelah  was  mourning. 

"  Oh!  my  beautiful  home!  and  my  friends,  where  are 
Aey?  Gone!  gone!  What  is  left  me  but  to  die?" 

"  I  am  still  with  thee,  my  mother,  and  love  thee 
much." 

"  Oh!  my  son,  thou  art  more  than  all  the  rest;  but  I 
thought  to  have  thy  life  so  happy  in  Jerusahm;  and 
now — " 

"  Grieve  not,  my  mother,  Jehovah  will  take  care  of  us 
— I  trust  in  Him." 

Then  he  went  out  and  set  his  nets  and  prepared  for  the 
morrow. 


88  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

T  II  E     M  A  K  K  E  T  -  P  L  A  C  E  . 

THE  market-place  was  crowded,  for  there  one  could 
learn  all  the  ne\vs  and  all  the  gossip. 

Asaph  and  Ilelah  were  there  with  their  fish  and  Hag- 
gith  with  her  flowers.  As  soon  as  she  saw  him  she  said: 

"  My  father  sends  thee  thanks  for  thy  kind  present;  he 
enjoyed  them  much." 

Asaph  replied:  "1  am  glad."  Then  turned  to  some 
customers  who  pressed  around  him. 

"  I  hear  thy  fish  are  cheap.  Give  me  some  of  the 
best,"  said  a  woman  wearing  a  good  garment. 

Asaph  raised  his  eyes. 

"  To  the  poor  they  are  but  a  penny  each." 

"  Oh,  thou  hast  two  prices!" 
'  The  poor  need  all  pity;  let  them  bide  for  them." 

"  Oh,  thou  art  young  to  be  a  teacher,"  she  said,  scorn 
fully,  and  passed  on. 

He  looked  after  her,  wondering,  and  thought,  "  J)o  not 
nil  pity  the  poor  aul  help  them  as  .Jehovah  has  put  it  in 
their  power?" 

An  old  lame  man  with  his  stai!  in  his  hand  stopped  be 
fore  him,  but  said  nothing. 

"  Wilt  have  a  lish,  my  father?"  said  Asaph,  putting  a 
fish  in  his  basket. 

'Thanks,    good    boy."     Then    raising    his    eyes    and 


ASA  PH.  89 

hands:  "  And  praise  bo  Jehovah,  who  hast  put  it  in  thy 
heart  to  be  good  to  the  poor!" 

•'  Dost  worship  Jehovah?"  asked  Asaph,  his  eyes  spark 
ling.  "  Come  to-morrow  and  I  will  bring  thee  milk  and 
honey. " 

"  I  have  found  a  friend.  Jehovah's  name  be  praised!" 
said  the  old  man;  and  making  obeisance  as  to  a  king  went 
his  way. 

Uiiggith  tried  all  her  little  arts  to  attract  Asaph's  at 
tention.  She  smiled,  she  coughed,  she  put  a  bunch  of 
violets  on  her  breast,  but  Asaph,  when  no  customers  were 
near,  only  talked  with  his  mother. 

Soon  Elia  and  her  slave  appeared. 

"  Boy,  hast  good  fish  to-day?" 

"  Ay,  maiden,"  Asaph  replied. 

"  My  slave  will  return — we  go  further,"  said  Elia,  with 
a  warning  look;  then  seeing  Haggith  watching,  she  gave 
her  a  look  of  scorn  and  passed  on. 

Cleo  grinned  and  followed. 

"  Dost  know  the  little  rnaid,  my  son?"  asked  Helah. 

"  Ay;  but  speak  not  here,"  said  Asaph,  in  a  whisper. 

Haggith  bit  her  lip  in  vexation. 

''  I'll  find  out  this  mystery,"  she  muttered.  "  I 
thought  thou  wouldst  sell  but  to  the  poor — yon  maid  is 
rich." 

"  Dost  thou  know  her?"  Asaph  asked. 

"  No;  but  me  thinkest  thou  dost,"  Haggith  replied. 

"  I  am  but  a  stranger  in  Jerusalem,"  he  said,  turning 
away,  for  he  did  not  wish  to  betray  his  secret. 

Ilaggilh  laughed  quietly. 


90  ASA  PH. 

Soon  Cleo  returned  and  beckoned  him. 

"  Come/'  she  said.  "  Let  her  no  hear/'  nodding  her 
head  toward  Haggith.  "  She  cunning  fox." 

They  took  a  step  aside,  and  Cleo  said : 

"  Princess  wants  god  man  to  come  to  garden — tell  him 
something.  Come  before  Astarte  rise,"  and  she  was  gone. 

"  The  slave  forgot  the  fish,"  said  Haggith,  when  he 
stood  again  by  his  basket.  "  I  will  buy  them  of  thee. " 

"  Nay,  1  want  not  thy  silver;  take  them  to  the  Levite 
thy  father,  and  bid  him  ask  a  blessing  from  Jehovah  for 
my  mother." 

Ilaggith's  eyes  sparkled,  and  she  carefully  wrapped  the 
h'sh  in  the  green  leaves  and  placed  them  under  her  basket. 

"  I  thank  thee  for  my  father,"  she  said,  softly. 

"  Let  us  go  now,  my  mother.  1  have  much  to  tell 
thee. " 

Just  then  a  company  of  men  of  war  rode  through  the 
market-place,  coming  from  the  Joppa  Gate.  They  were 
travel-stained  and  dusty.  The  people  ran  shrieking  at 
their  approach  and  cried  : 

"  The  .Babylonians!  the  Babylonians!" 

"  Where  shall  we  go,  my  son?  Oh,  Jerusalem!  who 
shall  protect  thee?"  cried  Helah. 

"Jehovah,  my  unther.  Yon  men  of  war  are  our 
brothers.  See,  they  have  not  marred  the  corners  of  their 
beards  nor  shaved  the  hair  from  olT  their  foreheads.  They 
bring  news  to  the  king.  Let  us  go." 

The  market-place  was  quickly  deserted,  each  hurrying 
home  to  bar  his  door  in  fear. 


ASAPH.  91 

"  Let  us  go  to  the  Temple,  my  mother.  I  would  wor 
ship  there." 

Helah  wondered,  but  in  her  heart  was  glad.  She  too 
would  fain  return  to  the  God  of  her  youth,  but  fear  pre 
vented  her.  It  was  a  long  walk  to  the  Temple  mount, 
but  when  they  came  to  the  beautiful  porch  with  its  triple 
row  of  white  marble  pillars,  he  said: 

"  Kejoice  now,  mother,  we  are  near  Jehovah's  holy 
Temple." 

But  she  was  afraid;  and  when  they  entered  the  court, 
where  all  who  are  "  clean  "  may  worship,  she  drew  her 
robe  close  to  her  and  said : 

"  Nay,  I  fear  that  I  may  unwittingly  touch  what  is  most 
holy,  and  I  be  slain,  as  they  that  stayed  the  ark  from  fall 
ing  when  the  Philistines  sent  it  back  long  years  ago." 

"  Kay,  think  not  so  evil  of  the  Lord  and  ascribe  to  Him 
the  results  of  accident  as  punishment  for  sin  the  heart 
never  contemplated.  Let  us  seek  good  Jeremiah,  and 
learn  of  him." 

But  first  he  cast  himself  upon  the  floor  and  prayed  with 
all  his  heart  that  God  would  give  him  light  and  bring  his 
mother  back  to  the  true  faith. 

Jeremiah  was  calling  from  the  steps.  Some  listened 
and  laughed,  some  called  him  mad,  and  others  believed. 

"  My  bowels,  my  bowels!  I  am  pained  at  my  heart; 
my  heart  maketh  a  noise  in  me.  I  can  not  hold  my  peace, 
because  thou  hast  heard,  oh,  my  soul!  the  sound  of  the 
trumpet,  the  alarm  of  war!" 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha!"  cried  some. 

"He  is  mad!"  cried  others. 


92  ASAPH. 

Asaph  looked  at  them. 

"  Peace!"  he  cried.     "  Let  us  listen  to  him!" 

"  The  whole  city  shall  flee  for  the  noise  of  the  horsemen 
and  bowmen.  They  shall  go  into  thickets  and  climb  upon 
rocks;  every  city  shall  be  forsaken,  and  not  a  man  dwell 
therein!" 

Just  then  the  dust  rose  up  from  the  galloping  horsemen 
in  the  valley,  and  they  could  see  the  shining  of  their  armor 
and  hear  the  cries  of  the  people;  so  they  scattered  in  every 
direction,  adding  their  cries,  "  The  Chaldeans  are  upon  us 
— oh,  oh,  oh!"  to  the  general  confusion.  Ilelah  and 
Asaph  alone  remained  with  Jeremiah. 

"Oh,  prophet  of  the  living  God!  teach  us  His  laws!" 
cried  Asaph,  touching  his  robe  and  bowing  his  head. 

"Ah!  1  know  that  voice.  Was  not  this  the  slave 
girl?"  cried  Jeremiah. 

"  Asaph,  to  thee,  and  thy  willing  servant.  This  is  my 
mother,  who  in  her  youth  sung  in  the  Temple,  worshiping 
the  true  God,  but  false  teachers  and  the  example  of  kings 
and  priests  led  her  for  awhile  astray.  She  would  return." 

Ilelah  bowed  her  head  and  said: 

"Moloch  has  marred  the  beauty  of  my  boy.  Jehovah 
would  not  thus  deface  His  perfect  work.  Moloch  has  de 
stroyed  my  home  and  kindred.  Jehovah  delights  to  com 
fort  the  widow  and  the  fatherless.  Teach  me  again  to 
praise  His  holy  name."  In  prostrating  himself,  Asaph's 
turban  had  fallen  from  his  head  and  his  golden  hair  fell 
down  in  a  shower  upon  his  shoulders. 

"Ah!  why  this  disguise?"  asked  the  prophet. 

"  My  mother  fears  Jehoiakim's  wrath.     In  this  disguise 


ASAPH.  93 

\ve  have  visited  Jerusalem  and  seen  the  ruins  of  our 
home.  My  mother  is  very  sad,  so  we  live  in  a  cave  out 
side  the  walls,  but  return  each  morning  and  sell  fish  in  the 
market.  May  we  not  come  each  day,  and  learn  of  thee, 
and  worship  in  the  Temple?" 

"  Thou  mayest,  and  glory  be  to  God  that  thou  wouldst 
serve  Him!" 

Then  they  took  leave  of  him,  descended  the  stairs,  and 
went  out  of  the  Gate  of  the  Fountain.  They  stopped  at 
the  beautiful  pool  of  Siloam  and  refreshed  themselves; 
then  passed  down  through  the  valley  to  their  cave. 

After  the  goats  were  milked,  and  they  had  eaten  their 
evening  meal,  Asaph  told  his  mother  all  about  his  visits  to 
the  king's  garden,  and  his  acquaintance  with  the  little 
princess. 

"  She  has  something  of  importance  to  tell  me  to-night; 
thou  wilt  not  fear  to  have  me  go;  I  will  be  prudent." 

"  I  trust  thee,  my  son,"  was  all  she  said. 


04  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

E  L  I  A     AND     A  S  A  1'  II  . 

WHEN  night  fell,  but  before  the  moon  arose,  Asaph  was 
on  the  wall  of  the  king's  garden. 

"  Asaph!"  said  a  soft  voice. 

"  It  is  1,"  he  replied. 

"  Make  no  noise,  the  guard  is  doubled;  descend  by  the 
priests'  stairs.  I  will  await  thee  there." 

Asaph  crept  along  on  his  hands  and  knees,  then  softly 
descended. 

"  Come  quickly  to  my  pavilion.  Cleo  is  there  with  a 
light." 

Soon  they  were  in  the  beautiful  chamber,  where  heavy 
gold-inwrought  purple  hangings  screened  the  windows, 
that  no  tell-tale  light  should  inform  the  guards. 

Cleo  made  obeisance  to  the  floor,  then  quickly  placed 
cakes  and  fruit  upon  a  gilded  table,  saying: 

"  Eat,  prince  with  sun-god's  hair." 

Elia  placed  for  him  a  stool,  each  corner  of  which  was 
ornamented  with  a  queer  carved  gilded  head. 

"  Sit,  and  we  will  speak." 

Then  she  set  upon  the  table  a  beautiful  goblet  of  fine 
gold,  with  flaring  lips,  like  a  lily  flower,  but  with  the 
petals  drawn  down  gradually  to  almost  a  point,  then  wid 
ening  out  to  a  finely  molded  lion's  head,  the  mouth  open 
and  forming  the  stand. 


ASA  PH.  95 

"Here  is  new  wine  to  gladden  thy  heart.  Wilt  them 
not  drink?" 

"  Wine?     I  know  not  what  it  is." 

"  'Tis  but  the  juice  of  the  grape  pressed  out  but  yester 
day." 

To  please  her,  Asaph  touched  the  goblet  to  his  lips  and 
broke  a  cake  in  two. 

"  For  me?"  asked  Elia,  smiling  and  taking  up  the 
other  half. 

"  Oh,  princess!  all  are  thine." 

"  For  me,  my  brother?"  she  asked  again,  without  notic 
ing  his  words. 

"Ay,  little  maid."  She  seemed  such  a  child  to  him. 
"  With  many  thanks  for  all  thy  kindness." 

Now  Elia  was  happy;  she  eat  the  portion  of  cake,  and 
touched  her  lips  where  he  had  touched  his. 

"  I  have  something  to  tell  you;  thou  needst  not  fear  for 
Jerusalem,  my  father  has  bought  peace  of  the  King  of 
Babylon." 

"  I  am  glad  for  my  mother's  sake;  but  will  it  not  be  a 
heavy  burden  to  the  poor  to  pay  the  tribute?" 

"  I  know  not  of  the  poor,  good  brother;  here  in  the 
palace  gold  is  so  plentiful  that  I  would  willingly  give  it  to 
save  our  people's  lives." 

"  Were  1  a  man,  I  would  offer  the  king  myself  to  fight 
for  Judah." 

"  To-day  the  embassadors  came  from  Nebuchadnezzar, 
and  I  sat  quietly  behind  the  hangings,  and  heard  all,  to 
glad  thy  heart  with  the  tidings.  Our  fighting  men  who 
«ame  in  advance  to  warn  my  father  were  worn  and  spent, 


96  ASAPH. 

their  horses  almost  dead  with  fatigue.  1  heard  them  tell 
my  father  how  the  great  king  had  tarried  at  the  parting  of 
the  road,  and  consulted  the  images,  and  looked  into  the 
river,  and  threw  his  polished  arrows  into  the  air;  when  one 
iluttered  toward  .Jerusalem,  they  hastened  hither  with  the 
tidings/' 

"  I  saw  them  riile  through  the  market-place,  and  the 
people  fled  in  terror,  thinking  the  enemy  had  come." 

"  That  was  thy  handsome  mother  with  thee  in  the  mar 
ket?  Why  hast  thou  need  to  sell  fish,  and  why  disguise?" 

"  Dumah  was  our  enemy,  but  he  being  dead,  my 
mother  yearned  to  see  Jerusalem,  but  fearing  Jehoiakim 
might  still  desire  my  death,  she  took  these  means  to  learn 
what  she  could,  and  also  to  visit  her  beautiful  home;  but, 
alas!  a  heap  of  stones  greeted  her;  no  kin  was  left,  so  she 
and  1  were  all  alone." 

Asaph  drooped  his  head,  and  the  tears  came  at  the  re 
membrance. 

"  Weep  not,  my  brother,  for  am  not  I  a  sister  to  thee? 
I  will  plead  thy  cause  with  my  father." 

"  Nay,  gentle  princess;  the  time  is  not  yet  propitious. 
Then,  too,  in  this  disguise  1  can  daily  worship  in  the 
Temple." 

"  Turn  thy  head,  gentle  Asaph;  the  cruel  scar  of  Mo 
loch  makes  me  hate  that  wicked  god.  Turn  thy  side  of 
beauty,  that  1,  too,  may  praise  thy  (iod  of  loving-kind- 
noss. " 

''  Canst  thou  not  come  daily  to  the  Temple,  too,  so  shall 
we  bow  together  to  the  great  Jehovah?" 

"  Ay,  with  Cleo  as  a  guard." 


ASA  PH.  9? 

"  Cleo  go;  Cleo  no  like  burning  god,  Cleo  worship  him 
god,"  pointing  to  Asaph. 

So  it  was  arranged  that  at  a  certain  hour  each  day  they 
should  meet  together  at  the  New  Gate  of  the  Temple,  and 
learn  of  Jeremiah,  and  worship  with  all  reverence  the  God 
of  Israel  in  His  holy  Temple. 

"  My  mother  and  I  will  come  each  day  to  the  market. 
By  so  doing  we  can  tell  when  the  right  time  comes  to 
throw  off  our  disguise  and  claim  our  own." 

"  Thou  knowest  best,  yet  it  pains  me  to  see  thee  with 
those  common  people,  who  are  not  worthy  to  gaze  upon 
thy  face." 

Asaph  smiled. 

"  At  present  I  am  but  poor  like  themselves — oh,  even 
poorer,  for  I  dare  not  show  my  face  or  tell  my  name!" 

"  I  am  glad,  or  that  girl  ;vho  stands  beside  thee  would 
worship  thy  fair  beauty.  I  like  her  not." 

Cleo  showed  her  teeth. 

"  She  eat  him  with  her  eyes — ugh!" 

"  I  will  send  a  guard  to  put  her  from  the  market!" 
cried  Elia,  angrily. 

"  Kay,  that  is  not  to  worship  the  Merciful  One.  Oh, 
princess,  her  father  is  a  Levite;  do  her  no  harm  for  his 
sake.  Why  shouldst  thou  even  look  upon  her?  She  is  be 
neath  thee." 

And  so  Asaph  pacified  her. 

"  1  must  return  now  to  my  mother;  thou,  too,  wilt  love 
her,  oh,  princess!  when  thou  kuowest  how  good  and  gentle 
she  is." 

4 


98  ASA  PH. 

"  1  love  her  now!"  cried  Elia.     "  Tell  her  so  for  me.5' 

Asaph  made  a  deep  obeisance. 

"  Thanks  for  what  thou  hast  told  me." 

"  lie  wary,"  she  whispered;  and  he  was  gone. 


ASAPH.  99 


CHAPTER  XV. 

JEHOIAKIM      BREAKS     HIS     ALLEGIANCE      TO     NEBUCHAD 
NEZZAR. 

So  the  time  passed  on.  Ilelah  and  Asaph  still  sold  fish 
in  Jerusalem,  and  went  each  day  to  the  Temple,  but  noth 
ing  occurred  to  cause  her  to  reveal  herself. 

Asaph  increased  in  stature  and  in  wisdom  and  in  the 
affections  of  the  little  princess,  in  whose  friendship  Ilelah 
also  found  comfort.  Elia  was  always  jealously  guarded  by 
the  faithful  Cleo,  who  soon  felt  that  she  belonged  to  them 
all. 

Asaph  understood  from  Jeremiah's  preaching  that  a 
terrible  fate  was  overhanging  Jerusalem  unless  the  chil 
dren  of  Israel  returned  wholly  to  the  true  God  and  repent 
ed  of  their  sins.  Worship  was  still  occasionally  held  in 
the  Temple,  and  some  offerings  were  brought,  but  all  the 
heathen  gods  were  also  worshiped,  and  the  poor  were  op 
pressed,  and  some  of  the  most  beneficent  laws,  given  by 
Jehovah  for  their  physical  as  well  as  their  moral  welfare, 
were  constantly  violated. 

There  was  a  powerful  Egyptian  faction  among  the 
nobles  and  people  who  laughed  to  scorn  all  Jeremiah's 
prophesies.  Their  faith  in  Jehovah  was  so  weak  that  they 
did  not  believe  the  prophet's  words  came  from  him,  so 
they  looked  upon  Jeremiah  as  a  brawling  disturber  of  the 


100  ASA  PH. 

pence  of  the  city.  Egypt  was  powerful,  Kgypt  would  help 
them,  and  their  walls  were  strong,  for  only  a  portion  had 
been  torn  down,  that  too  by  their  brothers,  the  Israelites, 
during  the  siege  of  King  Josiah.  They  need  not  fear. 

Hut  there  were  still  many  who  had  never  turned  aside 
from  the  faith  of  their  fathers,  and  they  believed  Jere 
miah. 

Asaph  also  believed  him  implicitly;  so,  daily  after  the 
market  was  over,  he  exercised  in  all  sorts  of  feats  of 
strength,  skill,  and  endurance,  such  as  running,  jumping, 
shooting  at  a  mark,  lie  had  also  learned  strange  things  in 
these  years  in  the  cave,  and  mornings  and  nights  in  the 
wilderness,  lie  could  imitate  the  call  of  any  animal,  then 
answer  like  its  mate;  this  he  practiced  till  he  could  sum 
mon  almost  any  denizen  of  the  forest  to  him,  and  even  the 
birds  of  the  air.  lie  stored  in  his  mind  all  sorts  of  knowl 
edge  of  plants  and  trees  and  roots  and  flowers. 

"  All  this  may  be  helpful  to  my  people  when  trouble 
comes,"  he  would  think;  so  every  day  he  increased  in 
knowledge  and  strength. 

Ilaggith  still  brought  her  flowers  to  the  market,  for  the 
dwellers  outside  the  walls  felt  more  secure  now  that  Nebu 
chadnezzar  had  accepted  of  the  tribute  and  withdrawn  his 
army.  Her  dress  was  gayer,  and  her  little  arts  to  attract 
Asaph  were  more  numerous;  but  he  rarely  spoke  to  her; 
so  she  had  to  content  herself  with  gazing  at  him.  Cleo 
and  she  were  deadly  enemies,  though  they  had  never 
spoken  a  word  to  each  other,  but  their  looks  were  express 
ive  enouh. 


ASAPH.  101 

It  was  now  the  third  year  of  the  vassalage  of  Jerusalem 
and  the  children  of  Judah,  and  the  bonds  chafed  them,  for 
they  could  now  neither  war  with  their  enemies  nor  assist  their 
friends  the  Egyptians — and  they  had  ever  a  loving  heart  for 
Egypt,  that  home  of  their  first  adoption,  that  had  fed 
them  with  the  fat  of  the  land  in  the  time  of  their  sore  need 
—that  land  in  which  their  forefather  Jacob,  the  Israelite 
from  whom  they  had  all  been  named,  had  dwelt;  that  land 
in  which  their  ancestor  Joseph  had  been  so  highly  hon 
ored,  and  in  which  the  twelve  tribes  had  so  increased  and 
multiplied  that  they  were  a  menace  to  the  reigning 
power;  that  land  to  which  they  had  come  as  simple 
shepherds,  but  had  been  educated  in  the  arts  and  sciences 
of  a  polished  nation,  and  had  been  given  land  and  liberty 
by  the  kind  pharaoh. 

These  traditions  had  been  handed  down  from  generation 
to  generation,  and  the  years  of  slavery  and  misery  under  a 
pharaoh  that  "  knew  not  Joseph  "  was  quite  forgotten, 
the  pleasant  things  being  remembered  longest,  as  it  is  to 
this  day, 

Jehoiakim  was  watching  an  opportunity  to  throw  off  the 
yoke  of  Babylon,  so  when  he  heard  rumors  that  Nebu 
chadnezzar  was  then  on  an  expedition  against  Egypt,  he 
refused  to  pay  the  annual  tribute. 

The  news  soon  spread  over  the  city,  and  the  people  were 
in  ecstasies  of  delight.  So  the  next  day  the  valleys  around 
Jerusalem  where  there  were  any  green  trees,  and  all  the 
little  eminences  and  high  places,  were  thronged  with  people 
in  holiday  attire,  who  burned  incense,  each  for  themselves, 
and  there  was  feasting  and  dancing  and  merriment. 


102  ASA  PH. 

But  Asaph  and  his  mother  remained  in  their  cave,  cov 
ered  with  sackcloth  and  ashes,  prostrate  before  the  Lord. 
They  fasted  all  day  till  the  sun  went  down,  weeping  and  be 
seeching  God  to  pardon  the  errors  of  His  backsliding  chil 
dren. 

"  Oh,  God  of  Israel!  some  of  them  are  so  young  they 
know  not  Thy  law.  Their  pastors  have  let  them  stray  like 
lost  sheep.  Oh,  bring  them  again  into  Thy  fold.  Let 
not  Israel  be  lost  forever!" 

Then  they  arose  and  purified  themselves,  and  eat  and 
drank,  and  gave  thanks. 

"  If  God  has  broken  our  bondage  to  the  Babylonians, 
my  son,  we  too  should  be  glad,  though  not  as — 

"  My  mother,  Jeremiah  says  our  hopes  are  in  vain  about 
Egypt  helping  us,  that  our  loved  city  will  bo  overthrown 
and  Jehoiakim  subdued  by  Kebuchadnez/ar;  so,  my  moth 
er,  it  is  not  yet  a  time  for  joy. " 

When  night  fell  they  went  up  the  valley  and  stood  upon 
the  mount  that  overlooked  the  city — the  beautiful  Mount 
of  Olives.  What  a  sight  burst  upon  their  eyes!  Every 
house-top  and  every  street  in  Jerusalem  appeared  to  be  on 
fire.  Clouds  of  incense  arose  in  the  air,  and  music  and 
singing  sounded  loud  and  joyous. 

"  They  are  praising  the  hosts  of  heaven.  Oh,  my 
mother!  I  can  not  watch  them  thus  insult  their  kind  lov 
ing  Father.  Oh,  why  do  they  mistake  the  works  of  his 
hands  for  the  great  Jehovah  Himself?" 

So  in  sorrow  they  returned  to  their  cave. 


ASAPII.  103 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

HAGGITH     DISGRACED. 

"If  her  father  had  but  spit  in  her  face,  should  she  not  abide 
outside  the  camp  for  seven  days?" 

THE  next  morning  the  market-place  was  crowded.  The 
people  bought  everything,  they  seemed  so  elated  with  joy 
at  their  recovered  freedom. 

"  Now  what  dost  thou  think  of  the  predictions  of  that 
brawler?"  asked  a  Hebrew  with  an  Egyptian  cast  of  coun 
tenance  of  the  woman  who  sold  leeks  and  garlic. 

"  1  have  not  the  time,  good  master,  to  listen  to  every 
one  who  calls  from  the  house-tops.  1  have  my  garden  to 
weed  and  my  water  to  draw.  Have  some  leeks,  my  mas 
ter,  they  are  green  and  fresh." 

He  bought  some  leeks  and  a  string  of  garlic,  laughed, 
and  passed  on. 

Haggith  wore  a  new  garment  and  ribbons  in  her  hair. 
She  had  even  tinged  her  cheeks  with  rosy  paint;  a  ring  of 
gold  was  in  her  nose,  and  she  seemed  to  feel  as  if  she  were 
irresistible  in  her  gorgeousness.  She  smiled  at  Asaph 
when  he  came  with  his  basket  of  fish,  and  said: 

"  Is  not  the  good  news  welcome?  Last  night  I  danced 
and  sung  with  joy;  but  why  dost  thou  look  so  grave?" 

He  had  turned  as  she  spoke  to  him,  and  had  noticed  her 
paint,  and  her  jewels,  and  a  slight  frown  clouded  his  face. 

"  What!  dost  thou  not  like  my  pretty  clothes?     I  hoped 


104  ASAPH. 

they  would  please  thee;  and  see,  I  plucked  this  bunch  of 
rarest  roses  all  for  thee!" 

She  held  them  out  to  him.  Just  then  a  shadow  fell  on 
her  basket;  she  looked  up— there  stood  her  father,  white 
with  rage. 

"  Is  this  my  daughter?  1  cry  thy  pardon  if  I  am 
wrong,  but  where  didst  get  this  jewel  in  thy  nose,  and  this 
fine  garment?  Ay,  wanton  wretch,  with  painted  face,  is 
it  thus  thou  robbest  me?"  Then  he  looked  at  Asaph 
from  the  crown  of  his  head  to  the  sole  of  his  feet.  "  And 
is  this  the  pretty  boy?  Young  master,  thou  dost  not  well 
to  accept  presents  from  a  poor  market-girl." 

Asaph  looked  him  steadily  in  the  face. 

"  Lovite,  I  have  never  accepted  aught  from  the 
maiden." 

Then  her  father  turned  to  her  in  still  greater  rage. 
"  80,  unsought,  thou  wouldst  bestow  thy  charms  upon  a 
stranger — wouldst  throw  thyself  at  one  unwilling  to  re 
ceive  thee?  Out  upon  thee,  unnatural  child!  My  gold,  my 
stolen  gold!  Ugh!  I  spit  upon  thee,  ingrate!" 

And  with  the  word  he  spat  in  her  face,  shook  his  staif, 
and  turned  aside. 

For  a  moment  Ilaggith's  eyes  blazed  with  anger;  she 
half  raised  her  hand,  then  it  dropped  by  her  side,  her  head 
sunk  lower  and  lower  upon  her  breast,  then  a  sob  of  shame 
and  anguish  burst  from  her  lips,  and  taking  her  basket 
from  the  ground  she  hastened  from  the  market-place. 

The  princess  and  Cleo  had  witnessed  the  whole  scene 
from  a  little  distance.  Elia  was  shocked,  but  Cleo  said: 


ASAPH.  105 

"Her  proud;  her  too  much  proud.  Ha!  ha!  new 
dress!  father  tear  him  soon;  she  cry.  Cleo  glad!" 

They  approached  Helah  and  greeted  her,  but  she  looked 
sad,  being  sorry  for  the  poor  misguided  flower-girl,  and 
Asaph  was  pale  with  pity  at  the  unhappy  scene,  and  tears 
stood  in  his  eyes.  Cleo  noticed  it  and  said: 

"  No  cry  for  her;  she  cat!" 

Asaph  did  not  yet  know  all  the  strange  old  customs  and 
the  strict  laws  of  "  uncleanness,"  so  he  wondered  at  Hag- 
gith's  leaving  the  market  with  her  flowers  unsold,  when 
buyers  were  so  many  and  so  willing. 

"  1  am  so  happy  to-day,  Asaph.  Wilt  thou  not  rejoice 
with  me?"  Elia  said  in  a  low  tone.  "  I  heard  my  father 
say  that  all  the  fighting  men  of  Judah  must  be  ready  to 
join  Egypt  when  he  comes,  but  he  thought  no  battle 
would  be  necessary,  as  Babylon  would  flee  before  the  unit 
ed  strength  of  Miriam  and  Judah." 

Asaph  could  not  have  the  heart  to  cloud  her  joy. 
When  Jeremiah's  terrible  predictions  came  true  she  would 
have  srorow  enough,  even  with  all  his  efforts  to  comfort 
her,  for  with  his  mother  she  formed  part  of  all  his  plans. 

Just  then  the  old  man  whom  he  had  often  befriended 
with  fish  and  honey  stopped  before  him. 

"  Old  Shalmai  has  something  to  tell  thee,  thou  descend 
ant  of  the  sons  of  God.  Come  aside  to  the  vacant  place 
of  the  gate,  there  we  can  sit  and  converse  unnoticed." 

Asaph  spoke  to  his  mother,  then  turning  to  the  princess 
he  said,  in  a  low  tone: 

"  1  will  see  thee  at  the  Temple,  and  thou  shalt  tell  me 
more.  Peace  be  with  thee!"  then  he  went  with  Shalmai. 


106  ASA  PH. 

Even  the  vacant  place  was  crowded:  but  seeing  the  old 
man  with  his  white  flowing  beard  leaning  on  his  staff, 
several  youths  quickly  offered  him  their  seats. 

"  Thanks,  kind  masters,  may  Jehovah  pour  His  bless 
ings  on  you  all/'  and  he  sat;  but  Asaph  stood  before  him 
and  listened  respectfully. 

"  1  came  to  tell  thee  that  when  the  trouble  comes  and 
the  daughter  of  Zion  mourns  upon  her  hills,  my  house  is 
open  to  thee  and  thine.  Poverty  no  more  binds  us  with 
its  chains;  a  Moabitish  debtor  paid  me  yesterday  a  sum  of 
money  long  since  due  and  mourned  as  lost;  but  Jehovah 
put  it  in  his  heart  to  pay,  and  now  my  old  age  is  free  from 
want,  blessed  be  His  name!  At  the  further  end  of  the 
street  that  runs  to  the  Water  (Jate  thou  wilt  see  a  small 
house  with  a  date-palm  by  the  door,  in  the  center  is  a 
garden  with  vines  what  make  a  bower,  hanging  full  of  rich 
ripe  grapes;  on  these  hast  thy  servant  lived  for  many  days. 
Put  thy  hand  in  the  hole  of  the  door,  the  latch  will  raise 
at  thy  touch,  enter — all  therein  is  thine." 

"  My  father,  thou  hast  rny  thanks,  for  when  Jerusalem 
is  in  anguish  I  shall  suffer  with  her,  and  perchance  shall 
accept  thy  offered  kindness.  Bless  me,  now,  my  father, 
and  let  me  go. " 

lie  did  so,  and  they  both  returned  to  the  market. 

Helah  had  sold  nearly  all  the  fish,  and  seeing  so  many 
happy  faces  about  her,  she  also  was  smiling.  Asaph 
looked  at  her,  then  softly  murmured  to  himself: 

"  Why  should  she  not  be  happy?  Sufficient  unto  the 
day  is  the  evil  thereof."  Then  he  took  his  place  beside 
her. 


ASAPH.  107 

It  was  not  long  before  all  their  fish  were  sold,  and  having 
eaten  a  frugal  meal  in  the  market,  they  purified  them 
selves  at  one  of  the  many  fountains,  then  went  to  the 
Temple  mount. 

There  was  quite  a  concourse  listening  to  the  prophet, 
most  of  them  in  holiday  attire.  As  usual,  there  was  a 
mixed  crowd.  Jeremiah  was  calling  from  the  New  Gate, 
toward  the  descent,  so  that  all  could  hear: 

"  Behold  ye  trust  in  lying  words  that  can  not  profit!* 

"  Will  ye  steal,  murder,  and  commit  adultery,  and  swear 
falsely,  and  burn  incense  unto  Baal,  and  walk  after  other 
gods,  whom  ye  know  not; 

"And  come  and  stand  before  me  in  this  house,  which 
is  called  by  my  name,  and  say,  we  are  delivered  to  do  all 
these  abominations. 

"  Is  this  house  which  is  called  by  my  name  become  a 
den  of  robbers  in  your  eyes?  Behold,  even  1  have  seen  it, 
saith  the  Lord." 

"  Ought  he  not  to  be  ashamed  to  speak  so  openly  to  the 
multitude?"  said  a  painted  woman.  "  For  if  some  of  us 
have  good  friends  who  give  us  presents,  and  we  are  not  so 
stiff  and  prudish  as  others,  he  need  not  call  us  vile 
names!" 

And  she  looked  leeringly  at  the  young  man  whom  she 
had  addressed. 

"  Seest  thou  what  they  do  in  cities  of  Judah,  and  in  the 
streets  of  Jerusalem?  The  children  gather  wood,  and  the 
fathers  kindle  the  fire,  and  the  women  knead  their  dough 

*  Jeremial),  vii  Chapter,  8  to  11  veises. 


108  ASA  PH. 

to  make  cakes  to  the  queen  of  heaven,  and  to  pour  out 
drink  offerings  to  other  gods,  that  they  may  provoke  me 
to  anger.  Behold,  my  anger  and  my  fury  shall  be  poured 
out  upon  this  place!" 

"  What  harm  do  we  in  worshiping  the  gentle  queen  of 
heaven?  Does  she  not  give  us  light  without  us  even  ask 
ing  her?"  said  a  pretty  maiden. 

Again  Jeremiah  thundered  forth: 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel:  Put  your  burned 
oiTerings  to  your  sacrifices  and  eat  flesh.  For  spake  1  not 
unto  your  fathers,  nor  commanded  them  in  the  day  that  1 
brought  them  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  concerning  burned 
offerings  or  sacrifices.  But  this  thing  commended  I  them, 
caying:  Obey  my  voice  and  I  will  be  your  God,  and  yo 
shall  be  my  people;  but  they  hearkened  not,  but  walked 
in  the  counsels  and  in  the  imagination  of  their  evil  heart, 
and  went  backward — 

"  There!  I  told  thee  that  we  were  just  wasting  our  kids 
and  lambs,  burning  them  up  in  the  Temple!"  cried  a 
shrewish  woman  to  her  white-haired  husband. 

lint  Jeremiah  spoke  again: 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts:  I  have  made  the  earth, 
the  man,  and  the  beast  by  my  great  power.  And  now  I 
have  given  all  these  lands  into  the  hand  of  Nebuchadnez 
zar,  the  King  of  Babylon,  my  servant — 

"Treason!  treason!"  the  people  shouted,  and  scattered 
in  all  directions,  several  throwing  stones  at  him  as  they 
went. 

But  Asaph  and  his  mother,  and  the  young  princess,  at 
tended  by  Cleo,  remained  and  worshiped  in  the  Temple. 


ASAPH.  109 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 

QUARREL   BETWEEN   HAGGITH   AND  CLEO. 

THE  days  passed  peacefully,  all  rumors  of  war  had 
ceased,  and  some  of  the  people  were  haughtier  and  more 
oppressive  to  the  poor,  aiid  broke  God's  laws  oftener  than 
ever  before,  living  in  sensual  luxury,  gathering  gold  by 
short  measures  and  light  weights,  and  utterly  forgetting 
the  God  of  their  fathers. 

This  was  but  the  calm  preceding  the  storm. 

Asaph  wondered  why  Haggith  came  no  more  to  the 
market-place.  But  Elia  was  glad,  and  Cleo  grinned. 
Several  days  passed,  then  Asaph  asked  his  mother. 

"  It  is  an  old  law  of  Moses,  my  son,  that  she  is  unclean, 
and  must  abide  without  the  camp  seven  days,"  she  re 
plied. 

Although  Asaph  was  sorry  for  any  creature  that 
suffered,  yet  he  felt  more  comfortable  without  Haggith's 
near  presence. 

Cleo  went  to  the  market  by  herself  one  morning,  and 
making  a  low  obeisance  to  Asaph,  she  said: 

"  Master,  tell  Cleo  where  girl  live;  she — she  sell  flow 
ers.  Oeo  want  buy — um! — something!" 

"  1  know  not  where  she  lives.  Did  the  princess  send 
thee  to  me?" 

"  Uni!  she  not  know.  Me,  Cleo,  want  her — want  buy 
— um! — something!" 


110  ASAPH. 

"  Dost  thou  want  Haggitb,  the  Levite's  daughter,  that 
sells  flowers  here  in  the  market?"  asked  the  woman  who 
sold  citrons  and  leeks. 

Cleo  grinned  and  nodded. 

"  Go  out  the  f urtherest  gate  by  the  Tower  of  the  Fur 
naces,  then  walk  five  minutes  straight  before  ye,  then  shall 
ye  come  to  her  father's  house.  Ye  can  tell  it  by  the  smell 
of  roses  and  violets  from  the  garden." 

"  Thanks!  Cleo  buy  leeks— another  time/'  and  she 
passed  on  smiling. 

"  Whose  is  yon  pert  Ethiopian  slave,  good  master?" 
asked  the  woman,  of  Asaph. 

"  Her  mistress's,  good  mother,"  he  replied,  smiling. 

"  And  who  may  be  her  mistress?" 

"Ask  her  when  next  thou  seest  her,"  then,  thinking 
this  sounded  discourteous,  he  added,  "  1  betray  no 
woman's  secrets,  good  mother." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha!  Thou  art  a  fine  lad,  and  I  would  1  were 
thy  mother,''  she  cried. 

But  Asaph  turned  away;  he  did  not  relish  the  jesting 
and  gossip  of  the  market,  neither  did  Helah,  who  looked  a 
little  vexed. 

Cleo,  having  hired  a  little  ass,  at  length  reached  the 
home  of  Haggith.  She  stood  before  it  some  time,  examin 
ing  its  poverty  and  comparing  it  in  her  mind  with  the 
magnificent  palace  in  which  she  lived.  She  shrugged  her 
shoulders,  and  curling  her  lip  in  scorn,  she  said : 

"  She  poor!  she  mean!  she  no  good!" 

Then  she  dismounted  from  the  ass  and  knocked  loudly 


ASAPH.  Ill 

at  the  door.  She  could  hear  a  bar  removed,  then  Haggith 
opened  the  door;  the  slave  stared  her  in  the  face. 

"  Cleo  come  to  buy  garlic!"  she  cried,  loudly. 

Iluggith  flushed  red. 

"  We  sell  naught  but  choicest  flowers/' 

"No?  Cleo  no  want  flowers.  Cleo  want  garlic  for  two 
pennies/' 

"  I  tell  thee,  slave,  we  do  not  sell  it!"  cried  Haggith, 
very  angry,  for  she  had  recognized  her  instantly,  and  un 
derstood  her  coming  was  only  for  insult. 

"  Cleo  call  him  father;  he  sell  it.  Oh,  him  like 
money!''* 

"I  tell  thee,  Ethiopian  slave,  we  do  not  pollute  our 
ground  with  the  vile  odor!" 

"  Me  no  Ethiopian  slave.  Me  Cleo — Cleo  father  no  spit 
in  her  face." 

Haggith  was  white  with  rage. 

"  Vile  slave!  go  back  to  them  that  sent  thee,  and  tell 
the  wanton  I  will  complain  to  the  king!" 

Cleo  laughed  loudly.  Just  then  Zaccur  entered  the 
house  from  the  garden. 

"  Softly,  softly!     'Why  this  confusion  of  angry  words?" 

"  Cleo  come  to  buy  garlic.  Girl  angry!"  and  she  held 
out  the  two  pennies. 

"  We  do  not  sell  it!"  he  replied,  looking  covetously  at 
the  money. 

"  So  1  told  the  slave;  father,  'tis  a  trick.  She  belongs 
to  the  damsel  that  has  so  much  gold  and  comes  each  day 
to  the  market.  They  are  spies!" 


112  ASAl'H. 

"  Aha!  what  sayest  the  slave?  Shall  I  have  thee  put  be- 
liind  the  prison  bars?" 

"  Cleo  no  '"fraid,"  she  replied,  defiantly. 

"  There,  there!  thou  didst  forget;  'twas  garlands  thy 
mistress  wanted.  Give  me  the  money,  and  I  will  get  thee 
one,  but  only  a  little  one  for  so  small  a  sum." 

"  C'leo  no  want  garlands;  take  money,  give  piece  swine- 
flesh." 

Zaccur  foamed  with  rage. 

"Jehovah's  wrath  fall  on  thee,  thou  impious  wretch!" 
he  cried. 

But  she  had  jumped  upon  her  ass,  and,  laughing,  waved 
her  hand,  then  quickly  rode  away,  saying: 

"  She  no  look  at  him  with  sun-god's  hair  any  more. 
Cleo  make  her  shamed." 


ASA PH.  113 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

DEATH     OF     JEHOIAKIM. 

THE  calm  had  passed  away  and  the  storm  had  broken 
on  Jerusalem.  Nebuchadnezzar,  finding  the  Egyptians 
would  not  fight  with  him  at  this  time,  and  hearing  that 
Jehoiakim,  relying  on  their  help,  had  refused  his  annual 
tribute,  came  with  all  his  vast  army  against  Jerusalem. 

The  people  were  terror-stricken,  not  being  prepared  to 
fight  or  to  endure  a  siege:  they  could  do  nothing  but  wring 
their  hands  and  weep  and  moan,  calling  on  all  the  gods  to 
help  them,  and  tardily,  in  their  last  extremity,  calling  also 
on  the  great  Jehovah. 

Jeremiah  still  continued  to  thunder  in  the  king's  and 
people's  ears. 

"  Xow,  therefore,  hearken  not  ye  to  your  prophets,  nor 
to  your  diviners,  nor  to  your  dreamers,  nor  to  your  en 
chanters,  nor  to  your  sorcerers,  which  speak  unto  you, 
saying,  Ye  shall  not  serve  the  King  of  Babylon. 

"  For  they  prophesy  a  lie  unto  you  to  remove  you  far 
from  your  land,  and  ye  should  perish. 

"  But  the  nations  that  bring  their  necks  under  the  yoke 
of  the  King  of  Babylon  and  serve  him,  those  will  I  let  still 
in  their  own  land,  saith  the  Lord,  and  they  shall  till  it  and 
dwell  therein." 

So  Jehoiakim,  in  his  extremity,  caught  at  the  only  hope 


114  ASAPH. 

hold  out  to  him  and  believed  Jeremiah,  and  opened  all  the 
gates  of  Jerusalem! 

The  army  swarmed  in  like  locusts  that  devastated  Egypt 
— Chaldeans,  Medes,  Persians,  Phoenicians,  Syrians,  Am 
monites,  Moabites — all  their  old  enemies,  forced  into  a 
willing  service  by  their  great  conqueror,  Nebuchadnezzar. 

At  the  "  Gates  Beautiful  "  Jehoiakim  stood  with  his  ret 
inue.  When  Nebuchadnezzar  approached  he  gave  him 
the  keys  of  the  city,  prostrating  himself  three  times  before 
him,  in  token  of  submission. 

But  from  every  gate  and  every  street  shrieks  of  agony 
reached  Jehoiakim's  ears;  the  flower  of  his  people,  both 
youth  and  maidens,  old  men  and  women,  were  being  ruth 
lessly  murdered  by  the  cruel  invaders,  lie  had  not  long 
to  bear  the  agony  of  suspense,  for  Nebuchadnezzar  was 
wroth  with  fierce  anger  to  think  that  he  had  dared  to  re 
bel  against  his  power.  He,  the  king  of  but  the  remnant 
of  Judah,  to  bring  him  thus  away  from  greater  things,  the 
siege  of  Tyre,  the  subduing  of  Egypt,  so  giving  him  a  look 
of  hatred,  he  thrust  his  sword  through  his  body,  and  while 
the  carcass  was  still  warm,  he  commanded  it  to  be  thrown 
outside  the  walls,  and  to  be  given  the  burial  of  an  ass. 

Then  Nebuchadnezzar  commanded  the  trumpets  to  be 
sounded,  and  as  the  great  army  came  together,  he  took  his 
princes  and  councilors,  and  they  proceeded  in  their  char 
iots  to  the  king's  palace. 

Here  ho  sat  upon  the  throne,  and  commanded  Jehoia 
kim's  family  to  be  brought  before  him. 

Coniah,  as  he   was   lovingly  called,  a  gentle  youth  of 


ASAPH.  115 

eighteen,  the  only  sou  of  the  king,  came  before  him  sub 
missively  and  bowed  prostrate  to  the  floor. 

"  Arise,"  said  Nebuchadnezzar;  then  seeing  he  was 
young  and  mild,  he  was  very  favorably  impressed  with 
him,  and  taking  the  crown  he  placed  it  upon  his  head  and 
called  him  Jehoiakim.  Then  all  the  people  shouted: 

"  Long  live  the  king!" 

Then  Nebuchadnezzar  communicating  to  him  his  wishes 
as  to  the  tribute  and  government,  left  the  palace,  and 
with  his  vast  army,  together  with  three  thousand  captives 
and  the  young  Ezekiel,  retired  from  Jerusalem. 

The  haughty,  cruel  Jehoiakim  lay  dead  outside  the 
walls.  His  beauty  was  disfigured  by  being  dragged  over 
the  sharp  stones  and  refuse  of  the  city;  there  he  lay  for 
the  birds  of  the  air  to  feed  on  and  the  vultures  to  tear  out 
his  eyes — those  eyes  that  had  never  looked  in  pity  on  any 
of  his  people — and  the  heat  of  the  day  caused  the  insects . 
to  buzz  about  his  face,  and  the  frost  of  night  wet  his  gar 
ments,  and  there  were  none  to  lament  him,  saying:  "  Oh, 
my  brother,  oh,  lord!"  or  "  Ah,  his  glory!" 

Those  of  his  own  household,  if  they  mourned  for  him, 
did  so  in  secret,  for  they  feared  spies  were  in  the  land  to 

report  to  the  great  king  aught  done  contrary  to  his  wishes. 
******* 

When  Jerusalem  had  settled  once  more  into  peace  and 
quietness,  happy  in  the  change  of  kings,  expecting  from 
Coniah's  youth  and  gentle  disposition  a  milder  and  more 
merciful  reign,  Helah  and  Asaph  presented  themselves 
before  him  with  a  petition  for  their  recognition  and  the 
restoration  of  their  land. 


116  ASAPH. 

Jehoiakim  sat  on  the  throne  of  his  fathers  attired  in  the 
magnificent  robes  of  state.  His  councilors  surrounded 
him,  also  the  princes,  ancients  and  wise  men;  he  wished 
their  advice  and  help  on  this  his  first  day  of  public  audi 
ence  to  his  people. 

Asaph,  his  fair  skin  cleansed  from  all  stain  of  saffron, 
his  golden  hair  falling  in  wavy  masses  upon  his  shoulders, 
his  dress  rich  and  becoming,  was  most  attractive  in  his 
beauty,  and  Helah  was  a  fitting  companion. 

Hope  lighted  up  their  countenances  with  radiant  light 
as  they  prostrated  themselves  before  Jehoiakim. 

"  Oh,  King  of  Judah,  be  merciful  and  tender,  and  hear 
now  the  prayer  of  thy  servant  Helah,  the  wife  of  Ashbel, 
of  the  tribe  of  Judah!" 

"  Arise,  and  speak  thy  wish,"  said  Jehoiakim,  extending 
his  scepter;  then  looking  at  Asaph,  he  started,  but  said 
nothing. 

"  Oh,  king,  when  thy  father  reigned  some  enemies,  un 
known  to  thy  servant,  did  raze  her  house  unto  the  earth, 
destroying  all  her  substance  and  marring  all  the  beauty  of 
the  ground;  her  kin  they  also  destroyed  or  scattered,  so 
that  none  are  left.  Oh,  king,  to  plead  her  cause,  save 
herself,  and  this  her  only  son." 

"  What  crimes  didst  thou  or  thine  commit  to  merit  such 
condign  punishment?" 

"  None,  rny  lord  and  king." 

"  Is  not  this  the  boy  who  years  ago  v/as  being  offered  up 
to  Moloch?" 

"  'Tis  true,  oh,  king,"  said  Helah,  drooping  her  head. 


ASA  PH.  117 

"  But  the  great  Jehovah  saved  him,  blessed  be  His 
name!"  cried  Asaph,  with  fervor. 

The  princes  and  councilors  stood  aghast,  and  a  murmur 
went  through  the  assembly;  but  the  king  smiled  and  said: 

"  'Tis  well;  thy  life  shall  not  again  be  put  in  jeopardy. 
Take  thine  inheritance  with  thy  mother.  I,  the  king, 
shall  see  that  justice,  though  tardy,  is  still  administered  in 
Jerusalem." 

He  raised  his  scepter  as  a  sign  the  audience  was  ended, 
and  Asaph  and  Helah,  bowing  low,  left  the  chamber. 

The  princess  met  them  in  the  porch;  she  knew  by  the 
expression  of  their  faces  that  their  petition  had  been 
granted.  Embracing  Ilelah,  she  said  in  a  low  tone: 

"  Peace  be  with  thee."  Then  turning  to  Asaph:  "  And 
may  Jehovah  pour  His  blessings  on  your  heads." 


118  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

SHAL  MAl'S     FEAST. 

THE  good  Shalmai  had  awaited  them  at  the  entrance  to 
the  palace.  Asaph  had  been  a  true  friend  to  him  in  his 
time  of  need,  providing  him  with  much  food,  and  a  milk 
ing  goat,  so  he  was  very  anxious  to  know  the  result  of 
their  visit  to  the  king. 

"  Ah,  all  is  well;  and  thou  art  free!"  he  cried  as  soon 
as  he  saw  them.  "  Now  thy  son  dare  hold  up  his  head 
before  all  the  world,  undisguised  and  undismayed. 
Young  master,  thy  faith  in  the  God  of  Israel  has  been 
rewarded.  Wilt  please  you  both  to  come  to  thy  servant's 
house;  he  has  a  little  feast  prepared.  Oh,  say  not  nay, 
for  thy  servant  hath  set  his  heart  upon  this  thing!" 

Helah  looked  at  Asaph. 

"  Shall  we  not  thus  give  thanks,  my  son?" 

Asaph's  heart  had  gone  out  to  the  old  man,  so  he  said : 

"  Yes,  my  mother,  it  is  meet  a  little  joy  should  fall  to 
thy  lot,  and  thanks  to  thee,  my  father,  for  thy  thoughtful- 
ness." 

It  was  a  pleasant  walk  to  Shalmai's  house.  The  people 
on  the  streets  seemed  so  happy  save  those  who  had  lost 
loved  ones  by  the  cruel  invaders,  and  they  greeted  Ilelah 
and  Asaph  with  smiles;  the  romantic  story  of  their  dis 
guise  and  restoration  to  their  patrimony  had  spread  swift 
ly  over  the  city,  and  many  recognized  in  Asaph  the  beau- 


ASA  PH.  119 

tiful  boy  who  had  escaped  the  fires  of  Moloch.     So  the 

• 

news  of  their  approach  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and 
many  gathered  at  the  corners  and  greeted  them  on  their 
way,  Asaph  bowed  with  simple  dignity,  but  Helah  smiled, 
and  when  old-time  acquaintances  grasped  her  hand 
and  bid  her  welcome  to  their  houses;  her  heart  was  glad; 
she  felt  at  home  again. 

Shalmai  was  a  magnificent  specimen  of  the  tribe  of  Dan 
— hair  long,  a  beard  that  reached  below  his  waist,  and  as 
soft  and  shiny  as  the  silk  of  Damascus,  piercing  black 
eyes,  and  a  most  fascinating  smile;  he  would  have  attract 
ed  attention  in  any  age  or  country.  His  friends  also 
greeted  him,  now  that  he  was  no  longer  a  poor  man,  and 
also  wore  a  good  garment. 

So  their  progress  was  a  continual  ovation,  the  women 
and  maidens  occasionally  throwing  flowers  in  their  path, 
and  little  green  boughs. 

llaggith,  coming  from  the  market-place,  caught  sight  of 
them,  her  cheeks  flushed,  and  she  ran  swiftly  until  she 
stood  by  Asaph's  side. 

"Ah!  the  fish-boy,  so  white  and  beautiful!  1  suspected 
a  mystery!  Art — art  thou  a  prince?"  she  asked,  softly. 

"1  am  naught  but  what  thou  seest,"  he  replied,  turn 
ing  away. 

But  Haggith  walked  along  with  the  crowd,  and  when 
she  saw  the  other  maids  throw  flowers,  she  emptied  her 
basket  in  his  path,  forgetting  the  beating  she  would  re 
ceive  for  not  having  either  them  or  the  money  to  give  her 
father. 

At  length  they  reached  the  house;  it  was  a  delightful 


120  AS  A  PH. 

spot,  for  the  street  was  wider  here,  and  the  houses  not  so 
close  together,  being  the  outskirts  of  the  city. 

At  the  door  stood  Shalmai's  wife  and  daughter  to  wel 
come  them.  As  they  entered,  he  said: 

"  Peace  be  with  you  all." 

"  And  Jehovah's  blessing!"  replied  old  Sara. 

Then  Shalrnai  took  the  basin  and  pitcher  from  Adah's 
hand,  and  bending  his  knee,  he  removed  Helah's  and 
Asaph's  scandals,  and  washed  their  feet,  then  he  poured 
water  over  their  hands  and  wiped  them  with  the  towel  the 
maiden  held  ready. 

Asaph  looked  bewildered  and  flushed  with  a  gentle 
shame. 

"  It  is  an  old  custom  of  our  fathers,"  llelah  whis 
pered. 

The  feast  was  spread,  and  Asaph  and  his  mother  were 
given  the  places  of  honor,  on  divans  placed  at  the  middle 
of  the  table,  with  a  soft  mat  for  their  feet,  their  sandals 
being  at  the  door. 

A  roast  lamb,  whole,  as  at  the  Passover,  was  in  the  cen 
ter,  decked  with  flowers — as  an  unusual  honor — then 
around  it  were  placed  white  wheaten  cakes  and  succulent 
vegetables,  oil  cakes  with  much  spice,  and  figs  and  dates 
pressed  into  little  circular  masses.  Cl  rapes  with  their 
green  leaves,  and  milk  and  honey,  and  tall  graceful  pitch 
ers  of  wine  completed  the  feast. 

A  blessing  was  asked  by  the  venerable  Shalmai,  then  he 
broke  the  bread,  and  giving  a  piece  to  each,  the  meal 
began. 

It  was  indeed  a  feast  to  Asaph,  who  had  never  sat  at 


ASA PH.  121 

table  before  with  any  other  save  his  mother  and  little 
Elia;  and  Shalmai  was  well  versed  in  the  ancient  history 
of  their  nation,  and  his  conversation  was  like  a  stream  of 
light  to  the  mind  of  Asaph. 

"  The  Hebrews  are  a  stiff-necked  people.  Jehovah's 
strong  hand  chastised  them  again  and  again  to  keep  them 
in  the  right  path,  but  at  every  temptation  they  turned 
aside  to  idolatry  and  all  manner  of  evil.  The  great  God 
had  permitted  their  offering  to  Him  of  the  blood  a«d  fat 
and  flesh  of  animals  because  the  heart  of  man  in  his  grati 
tude  or  in  his  petitions  for  favors,  must  give  gifts,  and 
this  people  imitating  the  example  of  the  nations  around 
them,  were  offering  their  gifts  to  idols,  so  He  commanded 
them  to  bring  them  to  Himself  instead — for  Jeremiah  our 
prophet  has  said  that  God  did  not  require  sacrifice  of  ani 
mals,  but  obedience.  So  also  Hosea  hath  said,  '  Oh,  Is 
rael,  return  unto  the  Lord  thy  God.  Take  with  you 
words.  Say  unto  Him,  Take  away  all  iniquity  and  re 
ceive  us  graciously;  so  will  we  render  the  calves  of  our 
lips.'" 

These  words  sunk  deep  in  Asaph's  mind,  to  be  often 
pondered  on  in  after  times. 

As  Helah  listened  to  the  old  man,  all  her  childhood 
came  before  her  like  a  dream  long  forgotten,  that  comes 
back  with  a  word,  the  scent  of  a  flower,  or  a  strain  of 
music,  and  she  rejoiced  that  she  had  once  been  permitted 
to  sing  in  the  holy  Temple,  and  worship  the  true  God  in 
the  reign  of  the  good  Josiah,  and  from  this  day  she  turned 
no  more  to  idolatry. 

When  the  feast  was  ended  and  they  had  purified  them- 


122  ASAPH. 

selves,  they  went  into  the  court,  and  sitting  on  rugs  en 
joyed  the  beautiful  fountain  and  the  trees  and  flowers  that 
grew  around  it.  The  birds  sung  sweetly,  and  the  bees 
hummed  drowsily;  the  scene  was  one  of  peaceful  beauty. 

At  length  the  time  came  for  their  departure,  and  Shal- 
mai  said: 

"  When  the  sword  shall  come  upon  Jerusalem,  make 
this  thy  home,  good  master,  and  bring  thy  mother  at  the 
first  alarm. " 

"  Remember,  thou  wilt  be  most  welcome,"  said  the 
aged  Sara;  but  Adah  stood  silent  and  blushing  with  down 
cast  eyes. 

The  whole  family  accompanied  them  some  distance  on 
their  way,  and  then  left  them  with  many  blessings. 

Helah  and  Asaph  went  to  their  cave;  they  would  dwell 

in  no  one's  house  till  their  own  was  completed. 

******* 

Every  day  for  many  weeks  they  came  to  Jerusalem  and 
watched  the  walls  of  their  habitation  slowly  arise.  The 
young  king  had  ordered  it  to  be  built  even  more  beautiful 
than  it  was  at  first. 

Jehoiakim  was  well  loved  by  his  people  for  his  kindness 
and  his  thoughtful  measures  for  their  good;  but  he  turned 
not  from  worshiping  many  idols,  so  God  was  not  with 
him,  and  his  reign  was  short. 


ASA  PH.  123 


CHAPTER  XX. 

JEHOIAKIM   TAKEN   CAPTIVE. 

THREE  months  had  scarcely  passed  away,  when  the  city 
was  again  in  a  state  of  wild  alarm,  for  again  Nebuchad- 
nezzar's  vast  army  surrounded  Jerusalem. 

Spies  had  reported  that  Jehoiakim  was  meditating  re 
venge  for  the  cruel  murder  of  his  father,  and  Nebuchad 
nezzar,  who  was  in  the  full  flush  of  his  ambition  to  extend 
his  kingdom  from  the  Euphrates  to  the  Nile,  could  not 
brook  that  the  least  of  his  vassals  should  rebel  against  his 
authority,  but  still  having  the  siege  of  Tyre  to  occupy  his 
attention,  he  sent  commanders  with  his  army,  but  he  him 
self  did  not  come. 

From  the  highest  point  of  the  Temple,  to  which  Jere 
miah  had  taken  him,  Asaph  beheld  the  Chaldeans  and 
their  many  allies,  swarming  from  the  north-west,  and  on 
their  nearer  approach  spreading  over  the  level  plateau  to 
the  north,  thence  down  the  valleys  of  Jehosaphat  and 
Ilinnoa,  they  were  countless,  and  covered  the  earth  till  it 
looked  like  one  moving  mass. 

How  could  one  little  city,  weakened  by  luxury  and  for 
saken  by  God,  defend  herself  against  this  vast  multitude 
of  bitter,  hasty  men?  And  his  mother  and  the  princess, 
would  they  fare  as  well  in  this  second  invasion  as  they  had 
before?  He  could  fight,  but  what  had  King  Jehoiakim 
decided  to  do?  The  gates  of  the  city  were  doubly  barred 


124  ASAPH. 

and  locked;  had  he  known  it  in  time,  he  could  have  taken 
them  to  the  cave,  but  now —  Just  then  he  saw  the  prin 
cess  ascending  the  stairs  that  led  up  from  the  city  of  David, 
as  he  hastened  down  from  the  great  height  where  he  stood, 
and  met  her  at  the  New  Gate.  After  the  usual  greetings 
she  said: 

4 '  I  have  come  to  ask  Jehovah's  help  for  my  poor 
brother,  and  for  our  unhappy  people. " 

So  they  joined  Helah,  who  was  already  on  her  knees. 
After  they  had  prayed,  and  wet  the  marble  floor  with  their 
tears,  they  arose,  and  Asaph  said : 

"  Oh,  princess,  disguise  thyself  as  one  of  Jerusalem's 
poor,  so  will  my  mother  and  myself,  and  bring  thy  slave 
to  carry  thy  little  treasures,  and  we  will  abide  with  the 
venerable  Shalmai  till  all  danger  is  past." 

"Oh!  1  can  not  forsake  my  brother;  he  is  kind  and 
gentle.  I  would  bo  by  his  side  in  his  great  trouble.  Is 
not  this  as  Jehovah  would  wish  it?" 

"  Little  princess,  listen  to  me.  Thy  brother  will  only 
bo  impeded  in  what  he  desires  to  do  by  many  around  him 
claiming  his  protection.  Thy  brother  has  done  no  wrong, 
and  the  King  of  Babylon,  being  so  convinced,  can  not  find 
it  in  his  heart  to  do  so  gentle  a  young  man  harm;  but 
thou  art  a  maiden,  very  young  and  fair,  and  the  soldiers 
are  cruel  men,  and  fearless  of  the  great  Jehovah,  they 
might  do  thoe  such  wrong  that  death  were  preferable.  So 
disguise  thyself  and  come  wit!)  us.  When  Jerusalem  is  at 
peace  again,  thou  shalt  return  to  thy  brother.  I  will  wait 
for  thee  at  the  palace  gate," 


ASAPH.  125 

Ilelah  added  her  entreaties,  so  at  last  she  consented,  and 

hastened  away  to  get  ready. 

$  $  $  $  *  *  *t* 

Jehoiakim  sat  in  council .  with  his  princes,  rulers,  and 
wise  men,  and  when  they  saw  how  hopeless  it  would  be  to 
light  against  this  vast  horde,  he  said: 

"  1  would  not  that  my  people  should  meet  with  such 
cruel  deaths  as  these  men,  angered  by  resistance,  would 
put  them  to;  my  eyes  could  not  endure  to  see  this  fair  city 
of  the  mountains  laid  waste  and  devastated  even  to  the 
ground.  I  will  open  rny  gates,  as  Jeremiah  counseleth,  and 
tell  great  Babylon  1  have  not  rebelled  against  his  power/'* 

Then  the  council  broke  up,  and  messengers  were  sent 
outside  the  walls  to  demand  an  audience. 

They  soon  returned  and  communicated  their  message  to 
the  king,  who  immediately  commanded  all  the  gates  of 
Jerusalem  to  be  opened  wide. 

Elia,  hearing  this,  quickly  put  on  a  disguise,  and  gath 
ering  her  jewels  and  a  little  stuff,  put  them  in  the  hands 
of  Cleo,  and  together  they  hastened  to  the  palace  gate. 
Ilelah  and  Asaph  were  awaiting  them.  She  informed  them 
of  all  she  had  heard,  and  then  they  proceeded  hurriedly  to 
the  house  of  Shalmai. 

They  were  warmly  welcomed  by  all  the  family,  and 
when  they  were  informed  who  Elia  was,  they  prostrated 
themselves  before  her  and  vowed  to  protect  her  with  their 
lives. 

When  Asaph  had  thus  placed  them  in  safety,  he  went, 
still  in  disguise,  to  the  principal  gate  to  watch  events. 

*  Sanhedrim. 


126  ASAPH. 

"  It  will  all  be  well/'  he  thought,  "  for  has  not  Jere 
miah  said  we  shall  stay  in  our  own  land  if  we  serve  the 
King  of  Babylon?" 

Then  his  heart  fell  as  he  thought  how,  relying  on  these 
words,  the  gates  had  been  opened  once  before  and  the  king 
had  been  cruelly  murdered,  and  many  of  the  choicest  peo 
ple  of  the  city  with  him,  and  many  taken  away  captive. 
He  believed  in  Jeremiah,  yet  could  not  understand  how 
his  prophesying  and  what  really  came  to  pass  could  be  so 
different 

The  gates  were  opened;  the  king,  his  mother,  wives, 
princes,  and  officers,  went  forth  to  meet  the  commanders 
sent  by  the  great  Nebuchadnezzar.  He  surrendered  on 
condition  that  they  would  respect  their  persons  and  do 
them  no  injury,  and  that  beautiful  Jerusalem  should  suffer 
no  harm.  The  commanders  gave  their  oaths  to  that 
effect,  and  did  not  enter  the  city,  but  they  remained  in  the 
vicinity  with  much  of  their  army. 

Jerusalem  was  in  a  miserable  state  of  uncertainty,  the 
commerce  and  industrial  pursuits  of  the  people  were 
almost  entirely  neglected,  and  the  internal  improvements 
of  the  city  were  at  a  stand-still. 

But  this  was  soon  ended,  for  before  many  months  the 
commanders  broke  their  oaths,  entered  Jerusalem,  bound 
the  king,  and  took  him  to  Babylon,  together  with  his  fam 
ily,  princes,  officers,  and  servants,  together  with  ten  thou 
sand  of  the  principal  people,  seven  thousand  men  of  war, 
and  one  thousand  citizens,  a  part  of  these  being  from  the 
adjacent  country.  They  also  took  all  the  treasures  of  gold 
and  precious  stones,  and  beautiful  furnishings  of  the  king's 


ASAPH.  127 

palaces  and  houses,  and — what  pained  the  older  people  to 
the  heart — the  magnificent,  valuable,  sacred  things  be 
longing  to  the  holy  Temple. 

Then  Nebuchadnezzar  made  Jehoiakim's  uncle,  Mata- 
niah,  King  of  Judah,  and  changed  his  name  to  Zedekiab. 
lie  bound  him  in  oaths  that  he  would  serve  him  faithfully, 
and  not  change  the  form  of  government,  but  keep  the 
kingdom  for  him,  and  make  no  allegiance  with  his  enemy, 
Egypt. 

Thus,  half  of  the  city  and  the  surrounding  villages  were 
carried  into  captivity,  amid  the  lamentations  of  those  who 
were  left  behind. 


128  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

A     SEASON     OF     PEACE. 

PEACE  once  more  settled  upon  poor,  widowed  Jerusa 
lem.  The  people  went  looking  mournful  and  sad,  afraid 
to  lament  aloud,  or  even  to  take  any  pleasure  in  life. 

Helah's  house  was  but  just  finished  when  Zedekiah  be 
gan  his  reign,  so  she,  together  with  Asaph,  had  lived  with 
the  hospitable  Shalmai,  but  she  had  insisted  on  providing 
at  least  a  portion  of  the  subsistence  of  the  family. 

"  Lest  we  feel  too  dependent,  good  Shalmai,"  she  had 
said,  and  so  he  had  let  her  have  her  way. 

Asaph  had  drunk  the  old  man's  words  as  dew  from 
heaven,  for  Shalmai  was  a  Jew  of  advanced  opinions;  he 
had  studied  his  religion  from  the  days  of  Abraham  to  the 
Prophet  Jeremiah,  thoughtfully  praying  to  God  for  light 
to  see  into  what  was  obscure  or  contradictory,  so  that  he 
might  not  offend  or  violate  the  law,  not  of  Moses,  not  of 
the  judges,  who  were  but  fallible  men,  but  of  Jehovah  him 
self.  Men's  laws  that  came  in  conflict  with  that  were  to 
him  as  nothing,  and  he  was  ready,  even  with  his  life,  to 
obey  the  God  of  gods. 

The  Princess  Klia  had  not  been  included  among  the 
captives,  on  account  of  Asaph's  thoughtful  ingenuity;  now 
she  was  returned  to  her  uncle  and  his  children,  who  were 
glad  to  welcome  her  as  one  from  the  dead,  and  her  roman 
tic  story  so  interested  them  that  they  determined  that 


ASAPH.  120 

Asaph  should  some  day  be  sent  for  to  come  to  the 
palace. 

Hel  ab/s  house  was  now  furnished  and  ready  for  occu 
pancy.  So  the  time  came  to  bid  farewell  to  Shalmai  and 
the  kind  Sara  and  the  beautiful  Adah. 

They  sat  at  their  last  evening  meal  together;  it  was  pre 
pared  with  extra  care  and  arranged  with  unusual  beauty, 
for  was  not  one  of  the  sons  of  God  about  to  leave  them,  to 
take  away  the  blessiug  of  his  pure  heart,  his  words  of  wis 
dom,  far  beyond  his  years,  the  religion  of  his  beauty,  for 
one  could  not  look  upon  this  perfect  work,  fresh  and  un- 
contaminated  as  when  he  came  from  the  hands  of  his 
Maker,  without  worshiping  the  being  who  was  capable  of 
giving  such  perfection  to  His  children. 

As  the  scar  of  Moloch  had  caused  the  princess  to  hate 
idolatry  and  turn  to  the  true  God,  so  it  caused  the  family 
of  Shalmai  to  detest  with  utter  detestation  all  the  forms  of 
idol  worship  that  were  so  prevalent  in  the  land. 

Before  the  meal  was  finished  the  venerable  Shalmai, 
who  had  eaten  scarcely  anything,  began  to  chant  in  a  me 
lodious  voice  Solomon's  song: 

"  My  beloved  is  white  and  ruddy,  the  chief est  among 
ten  thousand. 

"  His  head  is  as  the  most  fine  gold. 

"  His  eyes  as  the  eyes  of  doves. 

"  His  cheeks  are  as  a  bed  of  spices. 

"  His  mouth  is  most  sweet,  yea,  he  is  altogether  lovely." 

Then  the  tears  filled  his  eyes  and  fell  down  upon  his 
beard.  His  voice  trembling  with  emotion,  he  continued : 


130  ASAPH. 

"  Whither  is  thy  beloved  gone,  oh,  thou  fairest  among 
women?  Whither  is  thy  beloved  turned  aside:'" 

Then  Sara  replied,  in  a,  mournful  but  sweet  voice: 

"  My  beloved  is  gone  down  into  his  garden  to  the  bed  of 
spices,  to  feed  in  the  gardens  and  to  gather  lilies." 

Then  Adah  took  up  the  strain: 

"  Thou  art  beautiful,  oh,  my  love,  as  Tirzah,  comely  as 
Jerusalem,  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners!" 

Then  Shalmai  embraced  Asaph,  wept  over  him  and 
blessed  him,  then  they  all  sung  together: 

"  Oh,  God,  forsake  me  not.  I  will  also  praise  Thee 
with  the  psalter,  even  Thy  truth,  oh,  my  God!  Unto 
Thee  will  I  sing  with  the  harp,  oh,  thou  Holy  One  of  Is 
rael!  Let  the  whole  earth  be  lilled  with  His  glory! 
Amen  and  amen!" 

Then  Asaph  and  Ilelah  hastened  away  while  the  whole 

family  stood  at  the  door  weeping. 

******* 

For  awhile  Judah  felt  secure,  for  they  had  become  allied 
to  the  most  powerful  kingdom  of  the  earth,  the  great 
Babylon,  and  the  few  fenced  cities  that  yet  belonged  to  it 
felt  now  as  if  they  were  indeed  protected. 

Again  the  city  assumed  something  of  its  former  pros 
perity.  Many  of  the  Jews  from  the  distant  cities  and 
plains  came  to  dwell  within  her  walls,  and  some  came  be 
cause  of  the  Temple  to  worship  there.  Merchants  came 
from  Syria;  they  brought  beautiful  jewelry,  and  precious 
stones  and  embroidered  and  bright-colored  cloths.  .Da 
mascus  sent  wool  and  wine  and  silk,  and  Sheba  spices  and 
other  things,  and  even  peacocks  were  brought  from  Tar- 


ASA  PH.  131 

shish.  So  the  fairs  and  markets  were  bright  and  beautiful 
and  animated  once  more. 

The  voice  of  joy  was  again  heard  in  the  land  as  time 
passed  on,  and  happy  bridal  processions  and  music,  and 
feasting  and  dancing  once  more  made  glad  the  people. 

Asaph  had  become  a  scholar  in  the  college  of  the 
prophets,  where,  besides  being  taught  the  true  religion, 
he  was  instructed  in  the  languages  of  the  surrounding 
nations  and  the  pure  ancient  Hebrew,  that  had  now  be 
come  very  much  corrupted,  so  that  one  could  scarcely  read 
the  Scriptures  in  the  pure  language  in  which  they  were 
first  written.  He  was  also  initiated  in  all  the  forms  of 
learning  that  had  been  gradually  introduced  into  Jerusa 
lem  by  their  intercourse  with  educated  foreigners. 

Helah  was  happy.  She  was  a  most  hospitable  hostess, 
and  her  house  was  frequented  by  the  learned  and  wise, 
and  also  by  those  who  secretly  believed  in  the  God  of  Is 
rael;  these  were  doubly  welcomed,  and  encouraged  to 
stand  firm  and  not  be  ashamed  of  their  faith  or  afraid  to 
proclaim  it  in  the  face  of  the  people. 

Shalmai  was  a  beloved  guest,  and  each  visit  was  more 
prized  than  the  one  before,  and  Sara  and  her  beautiful 
daughter  came  occasionally. 

Asaph  ascended  each  day  to  the  Temple,  and  Elia  was 
as  devout  as  he,  and  he  never  failed  to  see  and  speak  with 
her  daily,  and  there  grew  up  in  his  heart  a  tender  love  for 
her  that  grew  with  his  growth. 

Elia's  heart  was  often  sad  because  of  her  uncle  the  king; 
he  was  so  led  away  by  the  wicked  men  around  him,  and 
was  unjust  and  cruel  to  the  poor,  of  whom  there  were  now 


13'?  ASAPIT. 

so  many  in  the  city.  Many  times  had  she  cheered  the 
poor  prisoners  who  were  thrust  out  from  the  king's  pres 
ence  by  the  spears  of  his  guards  by  a  look  of  pity  or  a 
softly  uttered  word  to  the  soldiers,  who  restrained  their 
brutality  while  she  was  by. 

"  Oh,  if  my  uncle  would  believe  wholly  in  the  great  Je 
hovah,  he  could  influence  our  people  for  good,  and  Jerusa 
lem  might  yet  be  taken  back  into  the  love  of  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel." 

But  Zedekiah  was  weak,  and  swayed  first  by  his  bad 
councilors,  then  by  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  back  and  forth 

like  a  reed  shaken  by  the  wind. 

******* 

One  day  Haggith  went  up  to  the  Temple  with  her  fa 
ther  Zaccur,  for  sometimes  services  were  held  there  and 
the  law  expounded,  but  it  was  not  the  fashionable  religion. 
There  she  saw  Asaph  and  the  princess.  She  blushed 
deeply,  but  gave  Elia  a  look  of  hatred,  yet  she  dared  not 
speak  to  Asaph,  as  her  father  was  by  her  side. 

"  Now  1  know  he  comes  here  I  can  often  see  him,"  she 
said  to  herself,  with  a  happy  feeling  at  her  heart.  So  each 
day,  when  the  market  was  over,  she  too  went  to  the  Tem 
ple. 

It  was  a  strange  sight  to  see  Jeremiah  speaking  and  ex 
horting  and  denouncing  with  a  great  wooden  yoke  about 
his  neck.  (The  prophets  always  emphasized  their  words 
by  material  symbols,  leaving  nothing  to  the  imagination.) 
Seeing  him  thus  ornamented,  the  people  laughed  more 
than  ever,  and  some  said: 

"  See  the    crazy  seditious   fellow;    where   now   are   his 


ASAPH.  133 

prophecies?  Poor  Comah!  he  opened  the  gates,  he  sub 
mitted  to  the  great  king,  but  was  he  left  in  his  own  land? 
lla,  ha,  ha!  what  a  prophet!  If  thou  dost  love  Nebu 
chadnezzar  so,  why  dost  thou  not  go  thyself  to  him?" 

80  Jeremiah  did  little  to  convert  or  turn  the  mass  of  the 
people  to  the  true  God.  But  the  king  favored  the  proph 
et,  and  when  he  was  in  his  presence  believed  him  im 
plicitly,  arid  often  requested  him  to  ask  of  God  for  him  by 
the  oracle  or  otherwise.  But  for  fear  of  his  princes  and 
nobles  he  did  this  secretly. 


134  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER   XX11. 

THE    PRINCESS    IS    JEALOUS. — ZEDEKIAH  REBELS   AND 
FORTIFIES    JERUSALEM. 

THUS  several  years  passed  away,  and  the  Egyptian  fac 
tion  had  become  stronger  and  stronger. 

One  day  Hananiah,  who  was  also  a  prophet,  came  to 
Jeremiah  in  the  Temple,  and  before  all  the  priests  and 
people  who  were  assembled  there  said  that  God  had 
broken  the  yoke  of  the  King  of  Babylon,  and  that  in  two 
years  the  vessels  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  would  be  re 
turned,  together  with  Jeconiah  (Coniah)  and  all  the  cap 
tives.  Then  Jeremiah  said: 

"Amen!  The  Lord  do  so!  Nevertheless,  hear  now 
this  word  that  I  speak. " 

Then  he  said  how  the  prophets  of  old  had  prophesied  of 
war  and  pestilence  against  many  countries,  but  that  if 
peace  came  to  pass  they  would  know  that  the  Lord  had 
sent  the  prophet  who  foretold  it. 

Then  Hananiah  took  ofl  Jeremiah's  great  wooden  yoke 
and  broke  it  to  pieces,  saying: 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord:  Even  so  will  I  break  the  yoke 
of  Nebuchadnezzar,  King  of  Babylon,  from  the  neck  of  all 
nations  within  the  space  of  two  full  years." 

And  all  the  people  shouted  and  rejoiced — Jeremiah  with 
them;  and  the  Egyptian  party  grew  yet  stronger. 

Asaph  wondered  why  Hananiah  had  received  these  good 


ASA PH.  135 

tidings,  and  they  had  not  been  revealed  to  his  friend  Jere 
miah;  still  he  was  happy  at  the  thought  that  loved  Jerusa 
lem  would  be  soon  free  from  her  enemies.  He  rejoiced  to 
think  that  the  sacred  vessels  would  be  so  soon  returned  to 
the  Temple,  and  prayed  that  Jehovah  would  then  be  wor 
shiped  as  of  old.  He  had  not  yet  advanced  so  far  in  his  re 
ligion  as  to  feel  that  old  customs  and  ceremonies  were  pass 
ing  aivay,  and  that  God  required  a  less  material  but  more 
spiritual  worship  from  his  children.  He  often  felt  very 
sad  at  the  general  wickedness  around  him,  and  would  pray 
with  tearful  eyes  for  the  people's  conversion;  especially 
was  he  troubled  about  the  king,  and  poor  miserable  Hag- 
gith,  who  daily  haunted  his  footsteps,  and  looked  at  him 
with  such  beseeching  eyes. 

"  Princess,"  he  said  one  day,  "  what  thinkest  thou  the 
Levite's  daughter  desires?  She  is  pale  and  thin  and  seems 
under  the  burden  of  much  trouble.'"' 

Elia  looked  at  him  searchingly. 

"  Dost  thou  not  know?"  she  said. 

But  Asaph's  pure  heart  was  as  innocent  as  a  child's;  so 
he  said  hesitatingly: 

4i  IS" ay;  but  dost  thou  think  her  father  beats  her?" 

The  princess  laughed  softly. 

"  Oh,  Asaph,  Asaph,  thou  art  indeed  one  of  the  sons  of 
Cod  in  thy  innocence!  Dost  thou  not  know  she — loves 
thee?" 

But  Asapli  blushed  red,  and  was  speechless. 

The  princess  watched  him  closely,  then  said  excitedly: 

"  Thou  dost  not  love  her?  If  I  thought  so  1 — I  would 
kill  her!" 


13t> 


"  Elia!  Oh,  princess!  that  is  not  to  obey  the  merciful 
God.  Thou  shouldst  rather  pity  her  for  loving  one  who 
can  scarce  abide  her  presence." 

Cleo  was  near,  and  hearing  this,  fairly  danced  with  joy. 

Elia  bowed  her  head,  and  said  in  a  low  tone: 

"  Forgive  me,  my  brother." 

So  peace  was  restored  between  them. 

******* 

One  day,  not  long  after  this,  Jeremiah  ascended  the 
steps  of  the  Temple  and  cried  to  Ilananiah: 

"Thus  saith  the  Lord:  Thou  hast  broken  the  yokes  of 
wood  "  —  for  that  prophet  had  also  broken  his  own  in 
convenient  wooden  burden  —  "  but  thou  shalt  make  for 
them  yokes  of  iron  upon  the  necks  of  all  these  nations, 
that  they  may  serve  Nebuchadnezzar  as  King  of  Babylon; 
and  I  have  given  him  the  beasts  of  the  field  also.  Hear 
now,  Ilananiah:  The  Lord  hath  not  sent  thee,  but  thou 
makest  this  people  to  trust  in  a  lie!  This  year  thou  shalt 
die  because  thou  hast  taught  rebellion  against  the  Lord."* 

Even  God's  prophets  did  not  understand  His  mighty 
\vork  of  converting  the  whole  world,  including  His  loved 
servant  Nebuchadnezzar,  who  was  ever  seeking  to  find  the 
true  God,  and  earnest  and  determined  to  have  his  im 
mense  nation  bow  the  knee  and  worship  when  that  God 
was  found,  by  this  very  captivity  that  the  Israelites  so 
strenuously  resisted. 

The  Jews  in  Babylon  were  commanded  by  Jehovah  to 
build  houses,  to  marry,  to  plant  gardens,  and  seek  the 
peace  of  the  city. 

*  Jeremiah,  xviii  Chapter,  14  to  16  verses. 


ASAPH.  137 

"For  I  know  the  thoughts  I  have  toward  you,  saith 
the  Lord,  thoughts  of  peace,  and  not  of  evil."  * 

Thus  their  brothers  at  home  knew  they  were  not  harsh 
ly  treated,  and  were  more  like  subjects  to  the  king  instead 
of  slaves. 

Some  of  them  remembered  too  well  how  their  fore 
fathers  had  slaughtered  indiscriminately  men,  women,  and 
children  whom  they  had  taken  captive  when  forcibly  tak 
ing  possession  of  the  Promised  Laud,  and  they  rejoiced 
that  so  much  more  mercy  was  shown  their  people. 

Jeremiah  came  to  the  king  continually,  beseeching  him 
to  cease  his  wickedness;  but  the  Egyptian  party  was  just 
as  assiduous  in  telling  him  to  believe  in  himself  and  his 
friends  the  Egyptians.  So  in  the  ninth  year  of  his  reign 
he  sent  embassadors  to  the  young  and  ambitious  King 
Waphris,  who  had  but  recently  mounted  the  throne  of 
Mirriam  with  overtures  for  assistance.  When  these  re 
turned  with  the  most  friendly  greetings  and  offers  of  sub 
stantial  aid  and  assistance,  Zedekiah  at  once  threw  off  the 
yoke  and  revolted  from  the  King  of  Babylon. 

He  commenced  immediately  to  fortify  the  city  and  pre 
pare  for  defense;  also  to  victual  it  for  a  possible  siege.  As 
fast  as  horse  and  rider  could  carry  it,  spies  bore  the  news 
to  Nebuchadnezzar. 

The  men  of  war  were  happy;  once  more  their  hands 
grasped  the  sword  and  spear,  and  the  bowmen  practiced 
with  their  bows  and  arrows,  and  the  slingers  with  their 
slings.  The  strangers  and  the  slaves  put  every  portion  of 

*  Jeremiah,  xxix  Chapter,  11  verse. 


138  ASA  PH. 

(lie  wall  in  thorough  repair,  strengthened  the  weak  places, 
and  built  defenses. 

The  whole  city  was  in  a  state  of  intense  excitement. 
Again  the  people  came  from  their  defenseless  villages  anil 
sought  protection  behind  the  stout  walls  of  the  city  of 
the  mountains. 

Helah  wept  and  prayed,  and  said: 

*'  Oh,  Asaph,  my  son,  what  shall  we  do?  Must  beauti 
ful,  beloved  Jerusalem  become  a  prey  to  her  enemies? 
Hath  not  the  chastening  hand  of  the  Almighty  been  laid 
heavy  enough  upcn  us — thou  and  I,  my  son?" 

"  Jehovah  has  not  punished  us,  my  mother;  it  was  the 
wicked  king  and  priest.  Too  many  of  our  people  ascribe 
to  our  Father  of  infinite  compassion  the  wicked  deeds  of 
men,  the  sad  results  of  nature's  violated  laws,  and  the  ir 
resistible  force  of  adverse  circumstances.  The  (Jou  of 
Israel  is  a  God  of  love,  truth,  mercy,  and  tenderness.  My 
mother,  1  have  wept  bitter  tears  at  the  cruel  things  our 
forefathers  ascribed  to  (Jod,  shaking  the  responsibility  of 
blood  and  slaughter  from  their  own  shoulders,  and  vilify 
ing  the  name  of  the  Most  High.''' 

Ilelah  looked  at  him  as  one  inspired;  surely  no  harm 
could  befall  her  while  he  was  by  her  side. 

Each  day  carriers  brought  word  of  the  nearer  approach 
of  the  enemy.  First,  Lachish  was  besieged  and  fell,  then 
the  little  villages,  then  Azakah  and  her  village;:,  then  on 
they  came,  Hushed  with  victory  and  happy  with  spoils, 
their  war  cries  loud  and  long,  their  banners  Hashing  in  the 
sun. 

Thus  the  immense  army  of  Babylon  gradually  surround- 


ASA  ML  139 

ed  Jerusalem.  Nebuchadnezzar  was  terribly  incensed  at 
this  breaking  of  a  sacred  league.  Had  he  not  raised  some 
of  the  sons  of  Judah  to  the  highest  honors  of  his  king 
dom?  Had  he  not  treated  the  well-disposed  even  as  a 
father?  Zedekiah  should  pay  dearly  for  his  treachery;  so 
he  carne  in  person  to  direct  the  siege. 

It  was  a  terrible  yet  beautiful  sight  from  the  city  of 
David  or  from  the  top  of  the  Temple  to  watch  the  glit 
tering  mass  come  nearer  and  nearer,  then  spread  out  like 
a  golden  net,  and  close  around  the  devoted  city. 

Asaph,  clad  in  habiliments  of  war,  with  sword  and  sling 
and  bow,  ascended  to  the  Temple.  Jeremiah  was  speak 
ing  more  vehemently  than  ever  to  those  who  would  listen. 

kk  Thus  saith  the  Lord:  Behold  I  will  give  this  city  into 
the  hand  of  the  King  of  Babylon,  and  he  shall  burn  it 
with  fire,  and  thou,  oh,  king,  shall  not  escape  out  of  his 
hand,  but  shalt  surely  be  taken."* 

When  he  rested  a  moment  from  speaking,  Asaph 
touched  his  robe.  He  turned  and,  looking  at  him,  cried: 

"  What!  wouldst  thou,  descendant  of  the  sous  of  God, 
disobey  thy  Father?  Why  these  weapons  of  slaughter  by 
thy  side?  Knowest  thou  not  that  the  Lord  hath  given  this 
city  and  people  to  Nebuchadnezzar,  and  though  thou 
shouldst  fight  until  thy  hands  were  stiff  with  blood,  yet 
would  God's  will  be  done." 

Asaph  turned  away  sad  and  silent,  and  descended  the 
steps.  He  believed  Jeremiah  to  truly  interpret  the  Divine 
will  to  man,  so  he  would  not  disobey,  although  his  heart 

*  Jeremiah,  xxix  Chapter,  21  verse. 


1-10  ASA  PH. 

was  cruelly  torn  at  the  thought  of  the  city  he  now  so  loved 
being  brokeu  and  burned  and  devastated,  and  he  not  rais 
ing  a  hand  in  her  defense. 

He  met  Haggith  on  the  stairs.  8he  saw  him  and  smiled 
wilb  joy;  then,  noticing  how  pale  he  looked,  she  said: 

"  Why  so  sad,  oh,  man  of  war?  Thou  shouldst  be  glad 
to  light  for  Israel." 

He  felt  so  crushed  he  had  no  answer  ready.  How  could 
he  make  her  understand  that  it  was  God's  will  that  he 
should  not  fight,  she  would  only  think  him  a  coward  and 
afraid;  so  he  bowed  his  head  and  passed  on. 


ASAPH.  141 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

JEREMIAH'S  SUFFERINGS. 

ONE  day,  before  a  single  dart  or  stone  was  thrown, 
Asaph,  who  was  watching  from  the  highest  point  of  the 
Temple,  beheld  a  strange  sight. 

Suddenly  the  trumpets  of  the  enemy  were  sounded,  not 
for  an  attack,  but  for  a  retreat. 

Column  after  column  of  fighting  men  in  glittering  array 
turned  their  backs  on  Jerusalem,  and  marched  to  the 
south-west;  then  followed  horses  and  men  dragging  their 
great  battering-rams  and  immense  engines  for  throwing 
darts  and  stones.  All  day  long  they  marched  away,  till 
riot  an  enemy  remained  near  the  vvaHs. 

The  watchmen  in  the  towers  again  gave  the  welcome 
call: 

"  The  second  watch,  and  all's  well!" 

And  the  people  were  wild  with  delight. 

Soon  carriers  came  as  fast  as  horse  could  carry  them 
with  the  glad  tidings  that  Waphris  had  left  his  kingdom 
with  an  immense  army,  and  was  now  in  Judah,  coming  to 
their  assistance. 

Then  every  man  took  his  servant,  being  a  Hebrew,  that 
he  had  set  at  liberty,  and  made  them  serve  as  of  old. 

Then  Jeremiah  denounced  them  severely  for  breaking  a 
covenant  that  they  had  sacredly  made  iu  the  house  of  God 
to  propitiate  Him  by  cutting  a  calf  in  two  and,  passing  be- 


142  AS  A  PIT. 

tweei-i  the  parts  thereof,  vowing  to  liberate  their  slaves, 
being  of  their  own  people,  as  was  the  law  to  do  each 
seventh  year.  So  Jeremiah  said  they  would  be  given  into 
the  hands  of  their  enemies,  and  their  bodies  would  become 
meat  for  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  that  the  king  and 
princes  would  be  taken  captive  to  Babylon,  and  the  city 

burned  with  fire,  and  Judah  be  left  desolate. 

******* 

The  people's  disobedience  and  infatuated  belief  in  the 
false  prophets,  and  in  the  sure  help  of  Egypt,  had  wearied 
Jeremiah,  so  that  when  the  Babylonians  had  departed  to 
join  fight  with  the  advancing  Egyptian  army,  he  deter 
mined  to  leave  Jerusalem  and  go  into  the  land  of  Benja 
min;  but  as  he  was  about  to  depart  and  had  got  so  far  as 
the  gate  of  Benjamin,  a  captain  of  the  ward  halted  him, 
saying: 

kt  Thou  fallest  away  to  the  Chaldeans." 

But  Jeremiah  replied  fearlessly: 

"  It  is  false!     1  fall  not  away  to  the  Chaldeans." 

But  tho  captain  did  not  believe  him,  but  took  him  to 
the  princes,  who  smote  him  and  put  him  in  prison. 

But  he  did  not  remain  there  long,  for  the  king  was  not 
so  hardened  or  cruel  as  his  brother  Jehoiakim,  and  really 
did  try  and  believe  in  the  true  God;  so  he  sent  for  him 
secretly  to  come  to  the  palace,  then  he  asked  him  what 
was  the  will  of  God. 

Jeremiah  reiterated  what  he  had  said  so  many  times  be 
fore  about  the  destruction  of  the  city,  and  also  asked  what 
he  had  done  to  be  imprisoned,  and  begged  not  to  be  sent 
back  again  lest  he  should  die  there,  being  in  a  dungeon 


ASAPH.  143 

and  ill-treated.  So  the  king  ordered  him  to  be  put  in  the 
court  of  the  prison,  and  that  good,  wholesome  bread 
should  be  given  him  each  day  from  the  bakers'  street  as 
long  as  there  was  any  bread  in  the  city. 

When  Asaph  learned  that  his  friend  was  imprisoned,  he 
came  each  day  to  see  and  talk  with  him  through  the  bars, 
and  passed  in  little  dainties  for  him  to  eat;  for  as  the  king 
was  not  against  him,  he  was  not  guarded  so  strictly  as  the 
other  prisoners  were. 

But  the  princes  wanted  him  to  be  put  to  death  for  his 
seditious  language,  saying  that  he  discouraged  and  weak 
ened  both  the  soldiers  and  the  people.  The  king,  though 
not  wishing  evil  to  Jeremiah,  was  criminally  weak,  and 
told  the  princes  to  do  what  they  desired  with  him;  sr>  they 
put  him  into  a  dungeon  that  was  full  of  rnire,  letting  him 
down  by  cords,  bruising  and  lacerating  his  flesh,  till  his 
feet  touched  the  soft  mud;  but  it  was  not  firm  enough  to 
bear  his  weight;  so  he  sunk  deeper  and  deeper,  suffering 
intense  tortures  of  suspense,  till  the  mire  reached  his  neck, 
and  for  awhile  he  sunk  no  further. 

Asaph  was  horrified  at  the  sufferings  of  his  friend,  so 
hastened  and  told  one  of  the  king's  servants,  an  Ethiopian, 
brother  to  Cleo,  with  whom  he  had  become  acquainted 
during  his  secret  visits  to  the  palace,  and  he,  fearing  God 
and  honoring  His  prophet,  also  loving  Asaph,  took  the 
fastest  mule  in  the  king's  stable  and  hastened  to  the  gate 
of  Benjamin,  where  the  king  was  sitting  hearing  the  peti 
tions  of  his  people. 

Prostrating  himself  before  Zedekiah,  he  said. 

"  My  lord,  the  king,  these  men  have  done  evil  in  all 


144  ASAPH. 

they  have  done  to  Jeremiah  the  Prophet,  whom  they  have 
cast  into  the  dungeon,  and  he  is  like  to  die  of  hunger  in 
the  place,  for  there  is  no  more  bread  in  the  city."* 

Then  the  king  commanded  that  he  should  take  thirty 
men  and  raise  Jeremiah  out  of  the  mire  before  he  died. 
So  Eben-Melech  hastened  back  to  the  palace.  AsaphVas 
waiting  for  him;  so  he  told  him  the  good  news  and  direct 
ed  him  what  to  do  to  help  his  friend. 

There  was  an  unused  apartment  under  the  treasury,  be 
longing  to  the  king,  containing  a  lot  of  miscellaneous 
articles.  There  Asaph  and  Eben  obtained  ropes  and  old 
rags,  some  of  them  so  old  and  damp  that  they  were  rotten; 
these  they  took  to  the  mouth  of  the  pit  and  lowered  to 
Jeremiah,  telling  him  to  put  them  between  the  ropes  and 
his  body.  Then  the  men  whom  Eben  had  brought  raised 
him  up  from  the  mire. 

Asaph  embraced  him  with  a  cry  of  joy,  then  scraped  the 
mud  from  his  clothes,  and  washed  him,  and  Eben  brought 
him  fresh  garments  and  he  was  then  put  in  the  court  of 
the  prison  and  treated  with  unusual  kindness. 

The  people  were  sorry  for  Jeremiah,  for  many  had  bo- 
come  believers  in  his  prophesies,  and  were  turning  again 
to  the  God  of  their  fathers;  but  the  ceasing  of  his  terrible 
denunciations  soon  made  them  forgetful,  and  they  became 
light-hearted  and  happy  once  more. 

*  Jeremiah,  xxxviii  Chapter,  9  verse. 


ASAPH.  145 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE   SIEGE   OF   JERUSALEM. 

IT  was  a  glorious  day  in  Jerusalem;  the  sun  shone  with 
unusual  splendor,  but  the  air  was  cool  and  pleasant,  and 
the  people  were  about  to  send  for  fresh  supplies  of  food, 
thinking  all  danger  past,  and  that  their,  allies  had  been 
victorious  and  had  driven  the  ambitious  Nebuchadnezzar 
back  into  his  own  kingdom.  But  before  the  sun  was  in 
the  zenith  some  Hebrews  from  the  plain  country  came  as 
fast  as  tin  ir  exhausted  horses  could  carry  them  with  the 
tidings  that  AVaphris,  seeing  the  immense  army  of  the 
Chaldeans,  had  not  dared  to  expose  his  smaller  forces  in  a 
battle,  so  had  retired  into  his  own  kingdom  without  even 
attempting  to  fight.  Thus  had  failed  the  help  from  Egypt. 

This  is  what  the  prophet  had  told  the  king  and  people 
again  and  again. 

Even  when  the  king  had  brought  Jeremiah  into  the 
third  entrance  to  the  Temple  and  had  asked  him  to  tell 
him  truly  what  would  come  to  pass  without  fear,  as  he 
would  not  allow  harm  to  happen  to  him,  he  had  besought 
him  to  obey  the  voice  of  the  Lord  and  deliver  himself  up 
to  the  Babylonians  and  save  the  city  from  being  burned 
with  fire,  for  if  he  did  not  he  would  certainly  be  taken, 
and  all  his  wives  and  children;  but  the  king  was  afraid  of 
treachery,  so  chose  rather  to  defend  Jerusalem  to  the 
uttermost. 


14f>  ASAPH. 

Suddenly  the  watchers  from  the  towers  cried  out:  "  The 
foe!  the  foe!  they  come!  they  come!  Make  ready  to  de 
fend  the  gates!" 

The  trumpeters  blew  loud  and  long;  the  men  of  war 
put  on  their  armor  and  equipped  themselves  in  haste;  the 
slingers  took  their  places  by  their  engines,  and  the  bow 
men  mounted  the  high  walls.  The  captains  of  thousands 
gave  their  commands  to  the  captains  of  hundreds,  who 
again  repeated  them  to  the  captains  of  fifties. 

Zedekiah  in  his  chariot  rode  from  street  to  street,  and 
from  gate  to  gate,  to  see  that  no  spot  was  left  unprotect 
ed.  The  people  were  ready  and  willing  to  defend  their 
loved  city  to  the  bitter  end,  even  with  their  lives. 

What  could  Asaph  do?  Oh,  that  Jehovah  would  make 
his  duty  easier;  he  must  hide  like  a  coward;  and  should 
the  king  discover  him  his  life  would  pay  the  penalty. 

"Oh,  God!  oh,  God!"  he  prayed,  "how  hard  it  is  to 
obey  Thy  law!  Why  must  a  man's  seeming  duty  conflict 
with  his  obedience  to  Thy  wishes?" 

But  Jehovah's  words  came  not  to  him  as  to  Jeremiah. 
Even  now  the  God  of  Israel  was  gradually  withdrawing 
himself  from  an  outward  manifestation  to  his  chosen  peo 
ple;  no  more  the  jewels  of  the  breastplate  blazed  with 
light,  thus  answering  by  Urim  and  Thumrnim  the  questions 
of  priest  and  king;  no  more  the  oracle  in  the  Holy  of 
Holies  gave  forth  the  words  of  the  Most  High;  no  new 
prophets  of  the  Lord  were  arising  from  among  the  people. 
They  were  soon  to  depend  on  the  laws  that  God  had  al 
ready  given  them,  and  in  the  working  of  their  consciences 
for  deciding  between  right  and  wrong. 


ASAPH.  147 

While  Asaph  wept  and  prayed,  the  whole  valley  was 
flooded  with  their  enemies,  Chaldeans,  their  allies  the 
Medes,  and  all  their  ancient  enemies  of  the  Laud  of  Prom 
ise. 

Jeremiah  still  thundered  from  the  bars  of  his  prison  in 
the  court  for  the  king  and  people  to  give  themselves  up  or 
die  by  slaughter,  pestilence,  and  famine. 

The  heavy  blows  of  the  battering-rams  sounded  on  the 
gates;  but  the  men  of  Judah  quickly  concentrated  on  the 
walls,  and  with  slings  and  arrows  caused  them  to  with 
draw  and  fight  from  their  high  towers,  which  they  had 
built  even  to  the  height  of  the  walls.  On  these  the  picked 
men  of  the  Chaldeans,  who  could  draw  the  bow  to  kill 
each  time,  assembled  in  great  numbers,  and  though  they 
were  opposed  by  men  equally  as  brave  and  skillful,  many 
too  who  could  use  both  hands  with  equal  dexterity,  yet 
many  fell  from  the  walls  dead,  with  no  time  left  to  the 
living  to  bury  them  or  even  to  lament  with  them  with 
burning  spices  and  "Oh,  Lords."  Others  immediately 
filled  the  places  of  the  dead  and  wounded,  and  thus  the 
fighting  went  on  day  and  night. 

The  streets  were  constantly  filled  with  men  and  women 
picking  up  darts  and  stones,  and  bringing  water  to  the 
wounded. 

Even  the  house-tops  held  their  contingent;  all  busy  pre 
paring  weapons,  garments,  food  for  those  who  fought. 

Their  energy  never  seemed  to  flag  nor  their  courage  to 
waver. 

One  day,  without  any  warning,  great  stones  suddenly 
fell  into  the  streets,  crushing  men  women  and  children 


148  ASA  PH. 

beneath  them;  the  people  fled  terror-stricken,  but  sooii 
recovered  themselves,  and  several  together  carried  the 
stones  to  their  own  engines  of  war  that  were  being  con 
structed  to  oppose  those  of  the  enemy;  so  soon  these  same 
stones  were  hurled  back  and  forth,  doing  havoc  on  both 
sides  of  the  wall. 

Poor  Asaph!  Even  his  mother  pitied  him;  for  to  obey 
God  implicitly  he  must  not  even  pick  up  a  stone  or  make 
an  arrow;  he  could  only  look  on  and  see  his  loved  people 
shot  down  or  crushed  to  death  without  doing  anything  to 
help  them.  !Now  he  felt  sympathy  for  the  king,  knowing 
how  very  hard  it  must  be  for  him  to  see  his  duty  clear  and 
to  perform  it. 

Ah,  but  one  thing  lie  could  do — minister  to  the  wound 
ed  and  dying;  so  he  hastened  where  the  fighting  was 
fiercest,  and  unheeding  stones  or  javelins  or  darts,  when 
one  fell  wounded  he  was  by  his  side,  giving  him  wine  and 
water,  which  he  carried  in  a  leather  bottle,  or  binding  up 
his  wounds,  and  did  what  he  could  to  comfort  them. 
How  he  thanked  God  for  permitting  him  to  do  even  this. 

Now  Helah  was  busy  each  day  weaving  bandages  and 
making  cordials  and  ointments  for  the  sick  and  wounded. 

The  princess — little  Elia  no  longer,  but  a  tall  beautiful 
maiden — often  came  upon  the  streets  disguised,  and  helped 
Asaph  in  his  work  of  love. 

Thus  many  months  passed  away,  still  the  valleys  seemed 
as  full  of  men  as  at  first;  but  the  defenders  of  .Jerusalem 
were  gradually  diminishing  in  numbers.  Then  they 
thought  of  new  engines  of  war,  or  greater  ones  than  they 
had  been  using,  and  went  to  work  with  renewed  energy  to 


ASAPH.  149 

construct  them.  But  food  was  getting  scarce  in  the  city, 
and  many  white,  pinched  faces  told  of  want  of  proper 
nourishment.  Oh,  if  they  could  only  hold  the  city  long 
enough  to  tire  out  the  haughty  Nebuchadnezzar!  But  he 
had  already  gone  to  Eiblah  to  direct  from  there  the  sieges 
of  both  Tyre  and  Jerusalem;  and  his  soldiers  seemed 
legions — never  diminishing,  but  ever  increasing  legions! 

The  warm  weather  came  at  last,  and  the  heat  of  the  sun 
on  the  dead  bodies  caused  a  dreadful  stench  to  arise  and 
filled  the  air  with  poison,  and  then  came  the  pestilence. 

All  that  Jeremiah  had  prophesied  was  coming  true. 

Now  the  soldiers'  rations  were  shortened,  and  soon  they 
became  weakened  from  not  having  sufficient  food,  and  the 
strings  of  the  bows  had  to  be  loosened — they  could  not 
draw  as  strongly  as  of  old  nor  aim  so  sure. 

Asaph  observed  this  with  sorrow  at  his  heart.  Must 
they  all  die  of  gradual  starvation — his  mother,  the  prin 
cess,  the  poor  king,  and  his  friends  Jeremiah  and  Shalmai? 

Half  the  nights  Asaph  spent  in  prayer  in  the  Temple, 
asking  for  guidance. 

"  Only  put  it  in  my  thoughts,  thou  God  of  infinite  com 
passion,  what  Thy  willing  servant  shall  do  to  alleviate  (he 
sufferings  of  Thy  chosen  people.  Oh,  forget  not  thy 
promise  to  our  fathers  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  that 
(heir  seed  shall  be  as  the  stars  of  the  sky  or  the  sands  of 
the  sea.  Oh,  blot  us  not  out  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 
Have  pity,  have  pity,  oh,  Thou  merciful  One!" 

So  night  after  night  he  prayed;  but  in  the  day  he  fear 
lessly  did  what  he  could  for  those  who  suffered. 


150  ASAPH. 

One  night,  when  he  had  returned  home  to  rest,  his 
mother  said: 

"  Asaph,  our  food  is  almost  gone,  and  there  is  naught 
to  buy  save  what  thou  wouldst  not  eat." 

"  My  mother,  give  me  but  a  crust  to  keep  life  in  my 
body,  and  do  thou  eat  the  rest." 

"  And  when  that  is  gone?  We  can  not  do  us  the  poor — 
eat  unclean  things." 

"  It  tears  my  heart  to  see  our  people  suffer  so.  Nightly 
I  pray  for  light  to  help  them;  but  all  is  darkness.  .Jeho 
vah  seems  to  have  hidden  His  face  from  His  olTending  chil 
dren." 

Each  day  the  famine  and  pestilence  increased,  and  each 
day  the  fighting  men  of  Judah  were  decimated  in  num 
bers.  At  last  the  ghastly  white  pinched  faces  became  hor 
rible  to  see.  Elia's  face  had  also  lost  its  bloom.  Asaph, 
too,  was  beginning  to  feel  the  pangs  of  hunger,  when  one 
night  he  arose  from  his  knees  in  the  Temple  with  his  face 
illuminated.  He  quickly  hastened  to  the  palace,  and  giv 
ing  a  signal,  Eben  opened  a  secret  gate. 

"  Peace  be  with  thee,"  Asaph  said.  "  Is  food  also 
scarce  at  the  palace?" 

"  While  there  is  aught  in  the  city  the  king  and  royal 
household  must  be  fed;  but  the  food  is  coarse  and  harsh 
for  gentle  stomachs.  An  occasional  ass's  head  and  dove's 
dung  for  salt  is  the  food  that  must  content  our  poor 
slaves.  Ugh!"  said  Eben. 

"  Jehovah  in  His  pity  hath  put  it  in  my  heart  how  to 
help  at  least  a  portion  of  His  poor  forsaken  people.  I  am 
going  into  the  valley.  Fear  not  for  me,  only  tell  those  on 


ASAPH.  151 

the  wall  near  the  great  tree  not  to  mistake  me  for  an 
enemy,  and  1  will  bring  them  food." 

Ebon  ascended  the  walls  with  him,  and  so  informed  the 
guards. 

Asaph,  lowering  himself  somewhat  by  the  vines,  sprung 
into  the  tree  and  disappeared. 


152  ASA  PH. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

• 

ASAPH    OBTAINS    FOOD    FOR   THE    STARVING. 

WHEN  Asaph  reached  the  ground  he  crawled  along  on 
his  hands  and  knees,  for  the  valley  was  full  of  tents  and 
armed  men,  but  now  many  of  these  were  asleep,  to  be  in 
vigorated  for  the  morrow,  as  Nebuchadnezzar  did  not  wish 
to  wear  out  his  soldiers  by  too  excessive  duty,  knowing 
that  Jerusalem  must  be  taken  sooner  or  later,  so  it  was 
only  a  question  of  time. 

A  sentinel  called  "  Halt!"  on  hearing  the  noise  of  his 
movements,  but  Asaph  gave  the  cry  of  that  dreaded  ani 
mal  the  lion,  and  as  the  night  was  very  dark,  the  sentinel 
retreated  a  step  or  two,  not  wishing  such  an  encounter. 

Asapli  passed  on. 

Thus  at  every  halt  he  gave  the  cry  of  some  wild  beast — 
tiger,  leopard,  wolf— and  as  the  soldiers  thought  these 
animals  were  attracted  by  the  scent  of  blood,  they  gave 
them  room.  So  Asaph  reached  his  cave  in  safety. 

He  felt  his  way  in,  speaking  softly,  and  calling  the 
names  of  his  goats.  Many  times  during  all  these  years  he 
had  visited  them,  and  they  had  not  forgotten  him,  but 
came  and  rubbed  themselves  against  his  hands  and  knees. 

Jle  drew  his  knife;  then  his  heart  felt  sick  with  pity. 
Should  he  kill  these  poor  dumb  creatures  who  so  trusted 
him?  No,  he  could  not  do  it. 

lie  felt  his  way  carefully  into  the  inner  cave,  found  his 


ASAPH.  153 

flints  and  kindled  a  fire;  then  he  lighted  the  lamp,  for 
everything  was  just  as  they  had  left  it.  lie  brushed  the 
dust  from  a  large  basin  and  took  it,  together  with  the 
churn  and  lamp  into  the  cave  beyond,  and  calling  his 
goats  to  him,  he  milked  them;  then  he  drank  of  the  gen 
erous  fluid — how  delicious  it  tasted!  He  filled  the  leather 
churn  with  the  life-giving  liquor,  and  tied  its  mouth  se 
curely.  Then  extinguishing  the  lamp  he  went  into  the 
outer  cave  and  left  the  churn  and  a  basin  of  milk  in  the 
entrance.  lie  then  went  into  the  thicket  and  looked 
about;  seeing  some  kids  that  were  wild,  he  drew  his  bow 
and  shot  one  with  a  true  aim,  so  that  it  did  not  suffer, 
then  he  shot  a  second,  and  binding  them  upon  his  back, 
together  vvith  the  churn,  he  drained  the  basin  of  milk,  and, 
feeling  stronger,  he  began  the  homeward  journey.  But  it 
was  a  very  difficult  task,  especially  in  his  weakened  state. 
There  were  many  tombs  in  the  valley,  and  the  supersti 
tious  Chaldeans,  catching  sight  of  his  strange  figure, 
thought  it  was  the  spirit  of  some  monster — for  they  be 
lieved  in  the  occult  more  than  any  other  nation — and  so 
they  would  shrink  away  as  he  passed.  This  fear,  together 
with  his  wild  beast  cries,  cleared  his  path,  so  at  last  he 
reached  the  king's  garden;  but  he  was  nearly  exhausted. 
After  resting  awhile  he  climbed  the  tree,  but. very  slowly; 
then  he  gave  the  signal  very  softly.  In  a  moment  Ebaii 
appeared  on  the  wall. 

"  Throw  me  a  rope/'  Asaph  said  in  a  whisper. 

This  caused  a  delay  of  some  time;  but  Asaph  rested  in 
the  tree,  so  recovered  a  little  from  his  fatigue. 

Eben  threw  the  rope  with  good  aim,  and  Asaph  caught 


154  ASAPH. 

it.  Tying  a  kid  firmly  to  one  end,  he  told  Eben  to  draw  it 
up,  then  lower  it  again;  then  he  sent  up  the  second  kid, 
then  the  milk. 

"  .Disturb  them  not  till  1  come,"  he  called,  springing 
into  the  vines. 

He  was  soon  by  Eben's  side;  and  taking  the  little  cup 
from  his  bosom — which  he  always  carried  now — he  gave 
him  a  draught  of  milk. 

"Ah!  that  is  good!"  cried  the  Ethiopian.  ''  Asaph, 
thou  art  wise  above  the  children  of  backsliding  Israel!" 

"  Nay,  'tis  but  the  experience  of  my  childhood  serving 
me  in  time  of  need,  so  that  I  can  comfort  those  who  love 
me.  Man  of  war,  refresh  thyself,"  he  said  to  the  sentry, 
giving  him  a  cup  of  milk. 

The  sentry  smacked  his  lips,  and  told  him  to  come 
again;  several  soldiers  came  near,  to  each  of  them  Asaph 
gave  a  portion,  then  he  and  Ebeu  descended  the  wall. 
Then  Asaph  said: 

"  Eben,  divide  this  kid;  give  of  the  best  portions  to  the 
Princess  Elia— she  will  send  some  to  the  king,  her  uncle — 
then  take  the  rest  for  thyself  and  friends;  take  of  the  milk 
also,  and  let  me  begone,  for  my  mother  is  also  in  need." 

Hoon  Asaph  was  at  his  home  with  the  kid  and  milk  hid 
den  under  a  large  mantle  loaned  by  the  Ethiopian. 

Helah's  eyes  sparkled  at  the  sight  of  the  welcome  food. 
She  had  not  retaken  her  liberated  slaves,  so  there  were 
none  besides  themselves  and  an  old  Hebrew  woman  who 
had  belonged  to  Helah's  father;  she  had  had  her  ear 
pierced  with  the  awl,  and  was  thus  a  willing  slave  forever. 


ASAPH.  155 

Soon  old  Marth  was  up  and  dressing  the  flesh  of  the  kid ; 
how  she  laughed  with  joy  at  the  sight! 

''  Every  night,  my  mother,  I  shall  go  and  get  thee  food 
and  for  our  friends,  and  for  those  who  need  it  most  that 
my  efforts  can  supply/' 

They  soon  sat  down  to  a  meal  the  like  of  which  they 
had  not  tasted  for  many  days. 

"  Now  for  a  few  hours'  rest;  then  before  the  sun  is  up 
I  will  take  a  portion  of  the  kid  and  a  bottle  of  milk  to 
good  Shalmai;  and,  mother,  have  a  piece  nicely  cooked  on 
my  return  for  poor  imprisoned  Jeremiah." 

For  several  hours  Asaph  slept  the  sleep  of  utter  exhaus 
tion;  but  Helah  and  old  Marth  were  busy  and  happy  pre 
paring  the  food. 

In  seasons  of  great  calamity  the  comfort  of  the  present 
moment  seems  the  great  desideratum;  so  it  was  in  Jerusa 
lem.  Old  Marth  chatted  and  laughed,  and  fairly  caressed 
the  food. 

"  Mistress,  send  not  too  much  away — old  Marth  gets 
hungry."  Then  she  slyly  hid  a  small  portion  and  a  little 
milk.  "  Ha,  ha,  ha!5'  she  laughed,  "  old  Marth  knows." 

Asaph  entered  the  chamber  refreshed  and  strengthened 
by  his  sleep  and  food. 

"  Give  me  the  shoulder  joint,  my  mother,  and  a  bottle 
of  milk." 

Receiving  them  he  left  his  home  while  it  was  yet  dark, 
so  that  the  hungry  wretches  on  the  streets  should  not  tear 
the  food  from  him  in  their  frenzy. 

Arriving  at  Shalmai's  house  he  knocked  at  the  door; 


150  ASAPH. 

but  all  was  silent.  He  knocked  again  louder  than  before. 
At  length  a  voice  came  from  a  distance  asking: 

"Who  is  there?" 

Asuph's  heart  srnote  him  for  not  bringing  help  before; 
but  he  had  naught  to  bring  till  Jehovah  had  put  this  good 
thought  into  his  mind.  Suppose  old  Sara  should  be  dead, 
or  the  beautiful  Adah! 

".It  is  I— Asaph!" 

In  a  moment  a  light  was  kindled,  and  the  bar  taken 
from  the  door. 

Asaph  started  back  with  horror  at  the  white,  haggard 
face  that  greeted  him;  then  he  said: 

"  Peace  be  upon  this  house,"  and  entered.  "  How  is 
the  good  Sara,  and  thy  fair  daughter?" 

"  The  hand  of  the  Lord  is  heavy  upon  us.  They  but 
live — all  our  food  is  gone.  Since  two  days  we  have  only 
tasted  water  and  a  little  oil,  and  for  many  days  before  a 
little  fruit  and  herbs  was  all  our  food." 

They  passed  into  the  room  where  Sara  lay. 

"  Ah,  good  master,  hast  thou  come  to  see  us  before  we 
die,"  she  said,  in  a  broken  voice. 

Then  Adah  came  in  like  a  beautiful  spirit. 

"  J  have  brought  you  a  little  food,  my  friends,  and,  as 
long  as  .Jehovah  permits  it,  will  do  so  each  day." 

Then  he  uncovered  the  llesh  and  set  out  the  milk. 

"  Oh!  Jehovah's  name  be  praised!  and  be  thou  blessed, 
my  son,  who  hath  not  forgotten  thy  poor  friends  in  their 
calamity!" 

Sara  raised  herself  up  in  bed. 


ASAPH.  157 

"Ah!  the  food — the  good  food!"  she  cried,  and  her 
eyes  glistened. 

Adah  said  not  a  word,  but  quickly  kindled  a  fire,  and 
soon  the  smell  of  the  roast  kid  was  a  sweet  savor  to  this 
poor,  famished  family.  Asaph  poured  some  milk  and  car 
ried  it  to  Sara. 

Then  they  passed  into  the  room  where  Adah  had  the 
table  spread.  80011  all  was  ready,  and  Sara  joined  them. 
The  roast  was  smoking  hot;  that  and  the  milk  was  all,  but 
to  them  it  was  a  delicious  feast. 

Shalmai  asked  a  blessing,  and  then  said: 

"  Gently,  gently,  Sara,  and  thcu,  too,  Adah,  thou  art 
weak;  eat  slowly,  and  not  too  much;"  and  he  set  the  ex 
ample. 

Asaph  was  pressed  to  join  them;  at  last  he  did  so,  but 
eating  scarcely  a  morsel,  not  to  deprive  them  of  the 
precious  food. 

Then  he  told  them  how  the  thought  had  come  to  him, 
when  they,  too,  were  suffering  from  hunger,  and  how  he 
had  made  his  midnight  journey  to  the  cave  and  obtained 
so  much  good  food. 

"  I  will  come  to  thee,  good  Asaph,  for  after  such  exer 
tions,  this  long  walk  is  asking  too  much  even  of  so  good  a 
friend." 

So  it  was  arranged  that  each  day  before  the  sun  was  up, 
Shalmai  should  come  and  give  two  soft  raps  upon  the 
door,  and  then  receive  what  Asaph  had  for  thorn. 

"  Now  1  must  go.  Farewell,  and  peace  be  upon  you 
all!" 


158  ASAPH. 

Shalmai  blessed  him,  and  Sara  and  Adah  made  obei 
sance  to  the  ground. 

Asaph  hastened  home.  There  everything  was  ready,  so 
he  was  soon  giving  pleasure  to  his  friend  Jeremiah  with 
the  nicely  cooked  morsels. 

"  Surely  Jehovah  put  it  in  my  thoughts,  thinkst  thou 
not  so,  my  friend?"  he  asked  him  when  he  had  told  him 
all. 

"  Ay,  my  son,  our  Clod  is  a  God  of  tender  mercy.  I  am 
glad  thou  hast  found  employment  to  satisfy  the  feelings  of 
thy  gentle  heart.  But,  oh!  if  the  king  would  only  obey 
the  Lord  all  this  misery  might  be  spared  our  people. 
Nebuchadnezzar  would  be  a  father  to  them  and  harm 
them  not;  but  novr,"  oh,  Jerusalem!  Jerusalem!  must  I 
see  thy  strong  walls  leveled  to  the  ground,  thy  houses  and 
palaces  become  heaps,  the  dwelling-place  of  bats  and  owls, 
thy  fair  pools  the  habitation  of  the  bittern  and  the 
stork?" 

"  Is  there  uo  hope,  good  .Jeremiah,  that  Jehovah  will 
repent  and  lift  His  heavy  hand  that  He  has  laid  so  hard 
upon  His  children?" 

"  Ay,  did  they  but  obey.  But  soon  the  time  of  obedi 
ence  will  be  past,  and  nothing  can  then  avert  the  destruc 
tion  of  Jerusalem!" 

For  awhile  Asaph  was  silent  and  sad,  then  he  said: 

"  Shall  I  bring  thee  food  to-morrow,  my  father?" 
'  The  food  is  scarce  in  the  city?     Has  the  famine  com 
menced?" 

"  Ay,  and  the  pestilence,  too.  Hast  thou  not  noticed 
the  haggard  faces  around?" 


ASAFH.  150 

"  1  thought  perhaps  my  eyes  deceived  me.  Now  could 
I  weep  rivers  of  water  for  my  poor  people!" 

Asaph  turned  away,  and  said: 

"  I  will  come  again  to-morrow.     Farewell." 

"  Peace  be  with  thee!"  cried  Jeremiah,  and  Asaph  was 
gone. 


160  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

ASAPH  BRINGS  COMFORT  TO  MANY. — HAGGITH   IS   STARV 
ING. 

THE  sun  was  pouring  down  its  fierce  rays  upon  the  de 
voted  city.  The  effluvia  arising  from  the  unburied  dead 
was  something  terrible.  The  sanitary  condition  of  Jeru 
salem  had  long  been  neglected.  Asaph  thought  what  must 
be  the  condition  of  the  houses  of  the  poor,  when  even  a 
building  belonging  to  the  king,  in  a  good  quarter  of  the 
city,  was  allowed  to  contain  rotten  rags  and  cast-off  clouts. 
The  streets  had  not  been  cleaned  for  months,  and  each 
one  threw  his  filth  and  garbage  into  the  street  before  his 
door.  No  wonder  pestilence  went  hand  in  hand  with 
famine! 

Every  now  and  then  came  loud  shouts  from  the  walls  at 
a  particularly  good  shot  by  sling  or  bow. 

As  he  passed  one  of  the  towers  where  the  fighting 
seemed  the  fiercest,  he  paused  a  moment  and  looked  up. 
.Suddenly  a  whistling  sound,  a  cry  of  pain,  and  a  body 
came  Hying  through  the  air.  Involuntarily  he  stretched 
his  mantle  out  wide;  the  man  struck  it  in  his  descent,  and 
they  both  fell  to  the  earth  together.  Eor  a  moment  Asaph 
was  stunned,  but  he  soon  regained  consciousness,  and  not 
thinking  of  his  own  bruises,  he  turned  to  the  wounded 
man.  An  arrow  had  pierced  the  fleshy  part  of  his  thigh. 
To  withdraw  it,  Asaph  had  to  break  olT  the  feathered  end, 


ASAPH.  161 

and  draw  the  pointed  portion,  which  already  projected, 
through  the  wound.  The  blood  gushed  out,  and  the  man 
groaned  with  pain.  Quickly  taking  a  bandage  from  his 
bosom,  he  moistened  it  v/ith  wine  and  water  from  his 
bottle,  and  when  the  wound  had  bled  sufficiently  to  free  it 
from  deleterious  matter,  he  bound  it  quickly  with  a  dexter 
ous  hand;  then  placing  a  cup  of  the  iluid  to  the  soldier's 
mouth,  said: 

"  Drink,  my  brother." 

The  man  did  so,  then  opened  his  eyes. 

"  Ah,  thou  hast  rescued  me  from  death!" 

"  Shall  1  help  thee  to  thy  house?'' 

"Ay;  'tis  not  far." 

lie  leaned  heavily  on  Asaph's  shoulder,  and  thus  they 
walked  with  a  slow  pace  till  they  came  to  his  door. 

His  wife  and  children  lamented  loudly  when  they  saw 
him  in  this  sad  plight,  for  beside  sorrow  at  his  suffering 
it  meant  loss  of  food  to  them;  for  he  always  carried  home 
part  of  his  rations,  and  the  soldiers  were  supplied  as  long 
as  there  was  food  in  the  city. 

Asaph  bade  them  be  of  good  cheer,  and  said: 

"Jehovah  will  provide." 

But  they  laughed  sadly. 

"  If  the  kind  God  of  our  fathers  puts  it  into  my  heart  to 
bring  you  food,  will  He  not  then  provide  it?" 

"  But  wilt  thou?  How  canst  thou  obtain  it?  See  the 
babe  there  famishing  for  want  of  a  little  milk — 

"  I  will  bring  thee  some.     Now  fetch  a  basin." 

They  did  so,  and  he  poured  into  it  some  Wine  and  water. 


162  ASAPH. 

"  Dampen  the  bandage  with  it  ever  and  anon,  and  give 
him  a  small  portion  to  drink  to  keep  up  his  strength/' 

They  looked  at  him  with  awe,  but  the  wife  said: 

"  Art  thou  the  king?" 

Asaph  smiled. 

"  Nay,  I  am  only  thy  brother,  who  trusts  in  God;"  and 
he  hastened  away. 

All  day  long  some  poor  wounded  man  blessed  the  minis 
tering  of  Asaph' s  tender  hands.  Then,  as  the  sun  set  in  a 
blaze  of  glory,  and  the  arrows  and  stones  fell  in  dimin 
ished  quantities,  he  went  to  his  own  home. 

A  savory  meal  awaited  him,  and  while  they  eat  his 
mother  asked  him  of  all  his  doings  of  the  day. 

He  always  conversed  with  her  unreservedly,  and  kept 
her  well  informed  of  the  state  of  the  siege. 

Old  Marth  was  ever  smiling;  she  had  food,  she  was 
happy;  so  the  animal  in  earth's  children  betrays  itself. 

"  Hast  a  little  milk  remaining,  my  mother?  A  wound 
ed  brother,  whom  I  helped  to-day,  hath  a  babe  who  is 
famishing  for  lack  of  it." 

"  Poor  thing!     Here  is  a  little  bottle  full." 

Marth's  face  lengthened. 

"  Is  master  going  again  to-night  to  get  the  pretty 
food?" 

"  Ay,  Marth;  thou  shalt  not  starve  if  1  can  prevent  it. 
Now  1  will  sleep  awhile." 

A  new  life  seemed  to  be  introduced  into  the  house  with 
the  advent  of  food.  Old  Marth  was  ever  busy  preparing 
food  or  polishing  pots  and  pans,  and  llelah  worked  with 


ASA PH.  163 

renewed  energy,  preparing  things  that  Asaph  needed  in  his 
ministrations  to  the  wounded. 

When  it  was  time  to  go  on  his  excursion  for  food,  Helah 
placed  her  hand  upon  his  forehead,  and  he  arose  immedi 
ately. 

"  I  feel  refreshed,  my  mother.  Give  me  the  bottle  of 
milk,  and  1  will  be  gone." 

Helah  gave  it  to  him,  and  kissed  him  on  the  cheek. 

"  Be  careful,  my  loved  son." 

"  Ay,  trust  me." 

He  stopped  on  his  way  to  leave  the  milk  for  the  soldier's 
babe,  but  without, waiting  for  their  thanks,  he  hurried  on. 

Soon  he  was  at  the  secret  gate  of  the  king's  palace.  At 
the  signal  Eben  admitted  him.  In  a  moment  Cleo  pros 
trated  herself  before  him. 

"  Cleo  thanks  master  for  the  flesh.     Cleo  is  his  slave!" 

Speaking  a  kind  word  to  her,  he  hastily  ascended  the  wall. 

The  sentry  greeted  him  with  pleasure,  remembering  the 
draught  of  milk. 

"  Eben,  have  the  ropes  ready  when  1  give  the  signal  of 
the  night-owl's  cry,"  said  Asaph;  then  he  disappeared  over 
the  wall. 

Cautiously  he  picked  his  way  as  the  night  before,  and 
at  length  found  himself  at  the  cave.  Again  he  milked  the 
goats,  and  again  two  kids  were  bound  upon  his  back.  He 
did  not  dare  overburden  himself,  lest  his  strength  should 
fail  or  he  should  be  discovered.  When  he  was  safely  over 
the  walls  again,  he  divided  the  provender,  one  half  to  the 
palace  and  one  half  to  himself.  Cleo  was  there  with 
bottles  ready  for  the  milk. 


164  ASAPH. 

Asaph  did  not  forget  the  sentinel,  and  also  said: 

"  Eben,  give  him  a  small  portion  of  flesh  for  me,  for  1 
dare  not  tarry." 

Cleo  followed  him. 

"  Can  Cleo  do  aught  for  the  master?" 

"  Take  good  care  of  thy  mistress,  the  fair  princees.  See 
that  she  wants  for  naught.  Should  she  need  my  help, 
knowest  thou  where  I  live?" 

"  Ay,  good  master.  Many  nights  has  Cleo  passed  in 
shadow  of  thy  house.  No  ill  come  to  Cleo  when  master 
near!" 

Asaph  looked  horrified. 

"  What?  Kay,  do  not  so,  but  trust  in  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel.  He  will  protect  thee. " 

"  Cleo  trust  master.     Cleo  no  love  God!" 

"  Cleo,"  he  said,  softly,  "  wouldst  thou  please  me?" 

"  Ay,  master,  with  Cleo's  life!" 

"  Then  learn  from  thy  good  mistress  how  to  serve  the 
great  Jehovah,  and  be  kind  to  the  poor." 

He  then  quickly  went  his  way,  and  soon  was  at  his 
home.  Marth  opened  the  door. 

"  Much  food  this  time,  master?  In  the  market  to-day 
they  were  selling  asses'  heads.  Ay,  old  Marth  would  go 
much  hungry  before  she  would  seethe  one  in  her  pot!" 

»She  took  the  kid  into  the  kitchen  and  dressed  it,  saving 
each  portion  carefully,  then  she  secreted  a  piece  and 
laughed  slyly.  All  this  while  Ilelah  slept,  and  soon  Asaph 

retired  also. 

*  *  *  *  *  #  * 

Before  the  sun  was  up  a  soft  knock  sounded   upon  the 


1(15 


door.  Old  Marth  opened  it  slightly  and  stealthily  peered 
out.  A  gentle  voice  said- 

"  The  master  bade  me  come  for  food." 

"  Ay,  ay,  indeed!     We  keep  not  the  market." 

"  I  am  his  friend,  and  came  to  save  his  gentle  kindness 
from  a  tedious  walk." 

"  Marth  knows  thee  not." 

And  she  partly  closed  the  door. 

The  noise  awoke  Asaph,  and  he  came  quickly. 

"  Is  it  thou,  Shalmai?" 

"  Ay,  my  master;  but  thy  servant  did  not  believe  my 
words." 

"  Enter,  my  friend." 

The  old  man  removed  his  shoes  and  left  them  at  the 
door,  then  followed  Asaph. 

"  Bring  food  for  my  guest,  good  Marth." 

The  old  slave  turned  pale  with  anger,  and  shook  her  fist 
and  muttered: 

"  These  hungry  sons  of  Benjamin  will  eat  all  the  food 
and  let  us  starve!" 

But  Asaph  turned  and  said: 

"  Marth,  I  will  bring  more  to-morrow." 

But  with  her  what  was  now  in  their  possession  was  sure 
and  better  than  the  uncertainty  of  to-morrow.  But  she 
had  to  obey.  She  placed  one  plate  upon  the  table. 

"  Two,  good  Marth,"  said  Asaph.  "  Now  bring  some 
nice  cold  roast  and  milk."  He  helped  Shalmai  to  a  gen 
erous  portion,  who  then  asked  a  blessing.  How  he  en 
joyed  the  food!  "  Marth,  cut  from  the  kid  a  leg  for  Shal 
mai,  and  fill  the  bottle  he  has  brought  with  milk. " 


166  ASA  PH. 

Martli  stood  still  with  folded  arms;  but  Asaph  looked  at 
her,  and  she,  grumbling,  left  the  room.  He  followed  her 
to  see  that  his  orders  were  obeyed;  then  she  said: 

"  Oh,  master,  master,  thy  heart  is  too  good  for  this 
stiff-necked  people!  Give  him  but  a  little  piece. " 

"  Marth,  he  was  good  to  thy  mistress  and  myself  when 
we  both  needed  friends.  Shall  we  not  repay  his  kindness, 
even  to  a  hundred-fold?  The  whole  leg,  Marth — and  the 
bottle— full." 

She  obeyed,  but  her  hands  shook  with  anger. 

Soon  Shalmai  went  on  his  way  rejoicing;  but  Marth 
grumbled  and  fretted  so  that  she  awoke  Helah,  who  arose. 
Then  Asaph,  kissing  her  on  the  cheek,  took  a  portion  of 
the  roast  under  his  mantle  and  a  bottle  of  milk,  and 
went  out. 

Soon  he  was  knocking  at  the  door  of  the  soldier's  house. 
His  entrance  was  greeted  with  joy.  The  babe  was  in  its 
mother's  arms. 

"  See,  master,  is  she  not  bright?  She  would  have  died 
but  for  thee,"  said  the  happy  mother.  And  when  he  laid 
the  roast  and  milk  upon  the  table  they  all  fell  prostrate 
before  him;  but  he  said: 

"  Give  thanks  only  to  the  Most  High,  the  giver  of  all 
good  gifts  to  man." 

Then  he  taught  them  a  short  prayer,  after  which  he 
hastened  away  to  minister  to  the  svounded  and  dying,  first 
carrying  some  food  to  Jeremiah. 

To  walk  through  the  streets  now  was  terrible — especially 
near  the  walls,  where  the  dead  lay  thickest. 

How  could  any  one  survive  the  fearful  stench  and  the 


ASAPH.  107 

terrible  pestilence?  The  hollow,  sunken  eyes,  the  livid 
cheeks,  the  trembling  limbs!  Were  these  the  once  glo 
riously  handsome  men  of  Judah?  Where  now  is  all  thy 
comeliness,  oh,  men  of  war! 

Oh,  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  where  now  is  the  beauty  of 
thy  daughters  and  the  comeliness  of  thy  matrons?  How 
Asaph's  heart  ached  at  the  sight  of  the  women  as  they 
staggered  from  their  doors  to  see  if  they  could  pick  up 
aught  in  the  street  to  satisfy  their  hunger. 

Toward  evening  he  noticed  a  figure  watching  the  evil 
birds  hovering  over  the  dead.  As  he  came  near  he  recog 
nized  Haggith,  but  so  changed  she  seemed  like  a  wicked 
witch  as  she  stretched  out  her  long  bony  fingers  and  tried 
to  seize  one  of  the  unclean  things;  but  it  would  ever  elude 
her  grasp,  hover  for  a  moment  above  its  prey,  then  dart 
down  suddenly  to  its  unholy  feast. 

Asaph  looked  on  in  horror.  What  was  she  about  to  do? 
Just  then  a  stray  arrow  pierced  it  in  its  flight,  and  it  fell 
dying  at  Haggith's  feet.  She  grasped  it  in  her  bony 
hands,  and  with  a  cry  of  joy  she  tore  it  with  her  teeth. 

"  Ilaggith!"  he  cried,  sick  with  horror,  "  what  dost 
thou?" 

"  I — I  am  starving,"  she  said. 

"  Kay-  do  not  this  thing,  oh,  Levite's  daughter;  eat 
not  the  unclean  thing— and  with  the  blood!  Oh,  it  is  too 
horrible!" 

"  1 — I  am  starving/'  was  all  she  said. 

"  Stay  but  a  little.  1  will  send  thee  food — some  flesh 
of  kid  and  milk,  and  some  for  thy  father;  but  do  not  eat 
the  unclean  bird.3; 


1G8  ASAPH. 

The  thought  of  the  promised  food  somewhat  calmed  her. 

"  I — 1  will  wait,"  she  said 

Asaph  hastened  away.  After  walking  some  distance  he 
met  Cleo. 

"  Cleo,  wilt  do  a  message  for  me?" 

"  Ay,  good  master,"  she  said,  with  a  glad  look. 

"  Then  follow  me  to  my  house." 

When  he  had  reached  it  he  bade  her  enter,  then  giving 
her  a  piece  of  roast  kid  and  a  bottle  of  milk,  he  said: 

"  Take  these  to  the  Levite's  daughter  who  once  sold 
flowers  in  the  market.  She  is  starving  by  the  western 
wall;  haste,  and  tell  no  one  what  thou  dost.  Hide  it 
under  thy  mantle." 

"  Cleo — Cleo  like  her  not,  oh,  master!"  she  said,  sul 
lenly. 

"  Do  it  as  the  will  of  our  kind  God,  Cleo,  so  that  He 
may  not  forget  theo  when  thy  trouble  comes." 

She  took  it  without  another  word  and  passed  quickly 
from  his  sight.  Then  she  looked  around. 

"  Cleo  not  take  it  to  cat  woman.  Cleo  hate  her.  Cleo 
eat  it  when  she  hungry." 

So,  smiling,  she  passed  the  western  wall  where  Ilaggith 
was  waiting.  She  stood  and  watched  her. 

As  the  minutes  passed  and  Asaph  did  not  come,  she 
wistfully  eyed  the  bleeding  bird.  As  the  time  lengthened 
she  stretched  out  her  hands  and  touched  it,  then  looked 
around  stealthily,  then  took  it  in  her  hand;  then  with  a 
cry  she  tore  it  ravenously  and  smacked  her  lips  with  fierce 
pleasure. 


ASAPH.  1C9 

"  ILi,  ha,  ha!"  laughed  Cleo,  sarcastically.  "  Levite 
girl  cat  bad  bird.  Ha,  ha,  ha!" 

"  Ay,  taunt  on,  thou  fat  slave  of  a  wanton!"  she  cried. 
"  I  sell  not  my  body  for  food!" 

"Levite  girl  is  fool!  Cleo's  mistress  lives  in  palace." 
And  she  walked  away  indignantly. 

%  ^c  %  $z  :jc  ^;  ^c 

From  the  highest  parts  of  the  city  the  valley  seemed 
still  as  full  as  ever  of  the  glittering  enemy,  well  fed  and 
confident  of  victory.  The  towers  they  had  built  in  so 
many  places  around  the  walls  had  been  the  means  of 
great  destruction  to  the  people  of  Jerusalem.  As  the 
number  of  men  on  the  walls  diminished  the  enemy  grew 
bolder,  and  again  the  battering-rams  pounded  on  the 
gates;  but  the  very  sound  put  renewed  life  into  the  hearts 
of  the  Israelites,  and  they  quickly  gathered  at  these  points, 
and  many  a  Chaldean  fell  dead  for  his  temerity. 

The  streets  were  now  in  such  a  bad  condition  that  the 
princess  was  forced  to  confine  her  visits  to  those  furthest 
from  the  walls;  but  she  did  not  neglect  her  devotions  at 
the  holy  Temple,  so  Asaph  saw  and  conversed  with  her 
each  day. 

Things  became  worse  and  worse;  but  Jerusalem  would 
not  surrender.  Some  of  the  women  would  have  been 
too  glad  to  see  the  Babylonians  enter  the  gates  and  carry 
them  away — that  meant  food  and  health  and  a  chance  to 
live.  They  remembered  when  Jehoiakim  had  been  taken 
captive  how  the  women  had  been  put  in  carts  and  not 
separated  from  their  children.  The  Chaldeans  were  hand 
some  and  kind;  they  did  not  fear  them. 


170  ASAPH. 

Cleo  had  been  gradually  learning,  from  listening  to 
Asaph  in  the  Temple,  to  know  the  true  God,  and  she 
began  to  love  and  fear  Him. 

One  day,  while  passing  along  the  street,  she  noticed  a 
figure  huddled  up  in  a  corner.  She  approached — it  was 
Haggith  gnawing  one  of  her  arms,  which  was  bitten  and 
bloody.  Cleo  started  at  the  ghastly  sight,  and  her  con 
science  smote  her;  so  she  said: 

"  Levite's  daughter,  forgive  Cleo.  Cleo  was  wicked. 
Glorious  master  sent  her  food  days  ago.  Cleo  eat  it — 
forgive/' 

"  I — I — have — food.  See!"  and  she  held  out  her  bleed 
ing  arm. 

"  Cleo  sorry.     Cleo  come  again." 

She  hastened  away  and  sought  Asaph.  When  she  found 
him  she  cried : 

"  Oh,  master,  Cleo  so  wicked.  Levite's  daughter  dying 
— eating  herself.  Ugh!  Cleo  no  gave  food.  Come 
quick!" 

"  Where  is  she?"  he  asked. 

"  Near  Sheep  Gate.     Come!" 

But  Asaph  took  a  tablet  from  his  bosom  and  wrote  a 
message  to  his  mother. 

'  Take  this  to  my  house,  Cleo,  and  bring  what  they 
give  thee  to  where  thou  sawest  the  Levite's  daughter.  I 
will  hasten  to  her."  So  saying,  he  hurried  away. 

What  a  terrible  sight  met  his  eyes — the  daughter  of  one 
of  the  former  servants  of  God  eating  her  own  flesh  for 
food! 

"  Haggith,"  he  said,  gently;  but  she  gazed  at  him  with 


ASAPH.  171 

the  look  of  a  wild  animal.  "  Haggith,  drink  a  little  from 
this  cup;  there — now  let  me  bind  thy  arm;  thou  shalt 
have  food  in  a  little  while." 

"  So  thou  saidst  before.     Ha,  ha,  ha!" 

She  laughed.     It  was  ghastly. 

"But  I  sent  it,  Haggith.  Cleo  has  repented  her 
wickedness.  Now  drink  a  little  more." 

"It— it— gives  life!" 

Then  he  bound  her  wounded  arm  and  said: 

"  Thy  father — is  he  with  the  fighting  men?" 

"  He — is — at  home — starving,  but  hugging  his  gold; 
but  he  can  not  eat  it.  Ha,  ha,  ha!" 

Just  then  Cleo  came  in  sight. 

"  Cheer  up,  Haggith,  food  conieth.  Jehovah  hath  sent 
it  to  thee." 

Cleo  gave  the  flesh  to  him  slyly  so  that  none  could  see. 
He  took  a  morsel  in  his  fingers. 

"  Eat  this  then  if  thou  canst.     Show  us  thy  house.". 

She  eat  it  ravenously. 

"  More!  more!"  she  cried. 

"  Yes,  when  we  reach  thy  father's  house.     Come." 

She  arose  to  her  feet,  but  almost  fell. 

"  Lean  on  me;  1  will  help  thee/'  he  said.  Then  Cleo 
took  her  arm  on  the  other  side,  and  together  they  led  her 
home  to  a  miserable  hovel  very  forlorn  and  wretched. 
They  entered.  The  Levite  was  in  a  corner  chattering  to 
himself  and  hugging  some  bags  of  gold.  He  was  just 
verging  on  insanity  from  starvation.  They  placed  Haggith 
on  a  seat,  and  CJeo  went  to  the  shelf  and  brought  platters 
and  bowls  and  put  them  on  the  broken  table. 


172  ASAPH. 

'  Levite,  the  God  of  Israel  hath  senu  thee  food — eat!" 
said  Asa  ph. 

"Food!  food!  but  thou  canst  not  have  my  gold!"  he 
cried. 

"  Nay.     Jehovah  wants  not  thy  mon.<>y — eat!" 

He  poured  some  milk  for  each,  and  while  he  attended 
to  the  Levite,  Cleo  ministered  to  Haggith.  After  they 
had  eaten  a  small  portion  Asaph  said : 

"  No  more  now,  or  thou  wilt  die.  Rest  a  little,  then 
eat  again." 

"  How  good  thou  art!  But  even  as  a  boy  thy  heart  was 
kind,"  said  Haggith. 

"  Is— is— this  the  Moloch  boy?"  cried  Zaccur.  "  I— I 
thank  thee,  master!" 

"  Levite,  thank  thy  God,  not  me.  If  thou  wilt  come 
each  morning  before  the  sun  is  up  to  my  house,  thou  shalt 
have  food  for  thyself  and  daughter.  Cleo,  stay  awhile  and 
see  that  they  eat  sparingly."  Then  he  hastened  away 
ami.l  their  thanks. 

Each  night  Asaph  brought  food,  and  each  day  many 
blessed  his  name,  and  turned  to  the  true  God  through  his 
gentle  influence. 


ASAPH.  173 


CHAPTER    XXV1L 

JERUSALEM    IS   TAKEN    AND    THE    KING   ESCAPES. 

THE  siege  continued,  and  month  after  month  passed 
away  with  ever-increasing  horrors;  still  Jerusalem  would 
not  surrender.  At  last  affairs  became  so  desperate  that 
parents,  crazed  with  want  of  food,  eat  their  own  children, 
and—! 

Again  the  battering-rams  thundered  at  the  gates;  but 
now  no  fighting  men  gathered  quickly  to  shoot  the  be 
siegers  down.  Only  a  few  were  on  the  walls,  and  they  so 
haggard  that  even  the  enemy  were  touched  with  pit}T. 

One  night,  as  Asaph  was  returning  home  from  his 
nightly  forage  for  food,  he  heard  the  battering-rams 
pounding  viciously  at  a  certain  gate  near  the  Temple;  he 
hastened  to  his  house,  and  depositing  the  food,  said: 

"My  mother,  I  fear  for  Jerusalem  to-night.  Should 
aught  befall  the  city  and  I  not  be  here,  disguise  thyself 
and  seek  Shalmai's  house,  and  abide  with  him — the  poor 
will  fare  best  with  the  conquering  Chaldeans.  Take 
Marth  with  theo.  Now  1  will  go  and  see  what  the  tidings 
are/' 

lie  hastened  to  the  6esieged  gate.  The  noise  of  the 
blows  was  terrific.  Crash!  crash! — then  wild  shouts  from 
without.  But  the  streets  were  deserted;  the  poor  starved 
Israelites  slept  the  sleep  of  utter  exhaustion.  Bang!  bang! 
crash! — then  again  the  shouts  of  the  besiegers. 


174  ASAPH. 

Asaph  listened  intently. 

Crash!  bang!— then  a  slight  crackling  sound,  as  if  a  por 
tion  of  the  wood  had  given  way. 

Asaph's  heart  beat  fast. 

Again  the  terrific  pounding  of  the  ram,  again  the  crash 
and  breaking  timbers,  again  the  shouts  from  the  triumph 
ant  foe. 

Pound!  pound!  Crash! — and  the  end  of  the  immense 
beam  of  the  battering-ram  pierced  through  the  timbers, 
and  came  in  sight  to  the  watching  Asaph. 

"Oh,  God  of  Israel!  have  mercy,  have  mercy!  Oh, 
pity  Thy  children!" 

But  the  aperture  became  larger  and  larger,  and — crash! 
the  gate  fell  from  its  hinges  and  the  army  poured  in. 

"  'Sh! — silently!"  was  the  command,  and  the  princes 
and  generals  made  all  haste  to  be  the  first  to  enter  the 
holy  Temple.  These  superstitious  people  had  been  eager 
ly  waiting  for  eighteen  months  to  see  the  grand  mysteries 
therein  contained — mysteries  so  deep  and  subtle  that  had 
so  long  helped  the  chosen  people  and  spread  terror  among 
their  enemies. 

Immediately  Asaph  sped  along  the  streets,  as  fleet  as  a 
deer,  to  the  palace  to  inform  the  king,  lie  pounded  on 
the  gate. 

"  Open,  open,  quickly!"  he  cried.  "  I  have  great  tid 
ings  for  the  king!  Quick,  quick!  before  it  is  too  late!" 

Ebon  was  hastily  summoned,  and  questioning  Asaph, 
accompanied  him  to  the  king. 

"  Oh,  my  lord  the  king,  thine  enemies  have  entered 
into  the  holy  places  of  the  Temple!  The  gate  by  the 


ASAPH.  175 

market-place  is  thrown  to  the  ground,  and  the  Chaldeans 
are  pouring  in!" 

Eben  spoke: 

"  Oh,  beloved  lord  and  master,  fly,  fly!  Let  not  these 
wicked  men  take  thy  precious  life!  This  is  the  Moloch 
boy,  his  word  is  truth!" 

In  a  moment  the  palace  was  in  the  utmost  confusion. 
Men,  women,  and  children  were  running  hither  and 
thither,  gathering  their  necessaries  and  valuables,  to  take 
with  them  in  their  flight. 

Elia  came  to  Asaph,  and  said: 

"  What  shall  I  do,  my  brother?" 

"  Disguise  thyself.  The  poor  will  have  more  mercy 
shown  them.  I  will  hasten  to  my  mother,  then  we  will 
join  the  king  and  thee  in  thy  flight.  Trust  in  Jehovah, 
oil,  princess!  and  in  thy  friend  Asaph." 

Then,  fleet  as  the  wind,  he  sped  back  to  his  mother's 
house;  but  all  was  dark,  silent,  and  deserted.  Then  on  to 
Shalmai's,  but  the  streets  were  full  of  armed  men,  captur 
ing  old  and  young.  But  no  cries  of  agony  arose  from  the 
prisoners,  there  seemed  rather  to  be  a  feeling  of  relief.  80 
Asaph,  trusting  his  mother  to  the  better  care  of  the  God 
they  both  adored,  hastened  back  to  the  palace;  but  now  it 
too  was  quite  deserted,  and  Asaph  could  see  in  the  moon 
light  the  king,  his  court  and  servants  moving  toward  the 
gate  by  the  garden,  so  he  ran  with  his  utmost  speed — and 
he  could  outrace  a  horse — and  joined  them  just  as  they 
passed  into  the  valley. 

From  the  Temple  came  cries  of  agony,  for  the  Chal 
deans,  Medes,  and  Moabites,  and  all  the  other  allies  were 


17(5  ASAPH. 

fiercely  slaughtering  nearly  all  \vho  had  taken  refuge 
there,  trusting  in  Jehovah  and  the  sanctity  of  the  place, 
but  the  Chaldeans,  fearing  neither  the  God  of  Israel  nor 
revering  His  holy  Temple,  tore  aside  the  beautiful  cur 
tains  and  laughed  in  derision  at  the  bareness  of  the  Holy 
of  Holies. 

"  Where  is  this  people's  God?"  they  cried,  while  tho.r 
who  had  surrendered  looked  on  in  horror,  expecting  some 
terrible  manifestations  of  Jehovah's  wrath  against  their 
impious  invaders;  but  the  Most  High  had  withdrawn  from 
His  Temple,  and  now  it  was  merely  a  building  of  wood 
and  stone. 

In  the  streets  those  who  resisted  were  quickly  dispatched 
by  the  sword  of  the  enemy. 

Slmlmai  came  to  his  door  with  all  his  family,  including 
Ilelah  and  old  Marth,  and  they  prostrated  themselves  to 
the  earth. 

"  Ah!  that  is  as  it  should  be,"  said  the  Chaldean  cap 
tain,  to  whom  they  had  made  obeisance,  and  who  was  not 
an  unusually  cruel  man.  "  Put  thy  women  in  this  cart. 
Thou  art  a  fine  specimen  of  a  Jew,  and  thou  lookest  wise. 
The  king  might  need  thee  in  his  service.  Get  thee  in, 
too." 

Each  had  their  little  bundle.  Helah's  contained  her 
jewels  and  money.  Once  outside  the  gates,  the  kind  cap 
tain  gave  them  bread  and  bade  them  be  of  good  cheer. 

Two  soldiers  had  entered  the  Lovite's  hovel. 

"Come!  hasten,  wretch!"  the  leader  said. 

"  I— 1  can  not  leave  my  gold!"  cried  Zuccur,  trem 
blingly. 


ASAPH.  177 

"  Come,  thou  Levite!  Why  didst  thou  not  obey  thy 
God,  and  come  to  us?" 

"  Good  man  of  war,  leave  me  here  in  peace,  and  1  will 
give  thee  some  of  my  lovely  gold — gold!  Ah!  how  it 
shines!"  cried  Zaccur. 

"  Wilt  thou  come?" 

But  he  clung  to  the  closet  where  he  had  buried  his  treas 
ures. 

"  I — I  can  not  leave  it!  Oh,  good  man  of  war,  have 
mercy!" 

"Thou  starving  dog!  thou  dost  not  know  what  is  for 
thine  own  good!"  cried  the  leader,  angrily. 

"  Father,  the  good  man  speaks  the  truth.  Let  us  go 
with  him,  and  live!"  spoke  Jlaggith. 

"I  will  not  leave  my  gold — my  beautiful  gold!"  he 
cried,  frantically. 

Quickly  the  leader  drew  forth  a  ring  which  was  attached 
to  a  chain.  It  opened  with  one  end  sharpened  to  a  point. 
Seizing  Zaccur  by  the  beard,  he  pressed  the  point  through 
the  soft  flesh  above  his  lip,  and  the  Levite  wus  a  prisoner. 
With  a  cry  of  pain  he  dropped  his  arms  by  his  side,  his 
head  drooped  upon  his  breast,  and  lie  was  utterly  sub 
dued. 

llaggith  wept,  and  with  her  veil  she  wiped  the  dripping 
blood  from  Zaccur's  face,  and  walked  by  his  side  support 
ing  him. 

The  leader  gave  the  chain  to  a  subordinate,  who  thus 
led  them  outside  the  walls. 

Word  was  brought  by  some  deserters  to  the  victorious 
generals  Xergal,  Sharezur,  iSamgar,  IS'ebo,  l\absaris,  Sar- 


178  ASAPH. 

eschim,  and  Rabmag,  that  the  king  and  many  fighting 
men  had  escaped,  and  were  on  their  way  to  Jericho. 

Quickly  the  trumpets  were  sounded,  and  all  the  men 
who  could  be  spared  from  guarding  the  captives  were  or 
dered  to  pursue  the  fugitives. 


ASAPH.  179 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE    KING    IS   CAPTURED   AND   MADE   BLIND. 

IT  was  midnight,  and  the  solemn  silence  of  the  hour  was 
broken  by  the  distant  shouts  in  the  furthest  parts  of 
Jerusalem  and  the  cries  of  the  dying  from  the  Temple. 

"  Toward  Jericho!"  was  the  command,  and  the  march 
was  as  rapid  as  possible  under  the  circumstances. 

The  guards  and  fighting  men  who  surrounded  the  palace 
were  all  with  the  king  and  seemed  a  fair  protection. 

They  reached  the  desert,  and  hastened  through  the  still 
warm  sand — on,  on  to  safety! 

Jericho  was  near.  Would  not  the  king  give  them  pro 
tection  till  Jehovah's  favor  was  turned  again  to  His  poor 
children? 

Only  a  little  further,  and  they  could  rest  from  this 
weary  flight,  and  eat  and  refresh  themselves. 

But  suddenly  a  noise  as  of  distant  thunder  fell  upon 
their  listening  oars.  Nearer  and  nearer  it  came,  like  the 
deep  roar  as  it  reverberates  through  the  riven  sky— faster 
the  fugitives  iled,  and  faster  the  enemy  pursued  them. 

Suddenly  the  sun  burst  out  in  all  its  splendor,  and 
showed  the  whole  plain  full  of  men  of  war  in  their  glitter 
ing  armor,  on  horses,  in  chariots,  on  mules — anything  for 
speed  in  the  pursuit. 

With  the  sight  Zedekiah's  generals,  friends,  and  soldiers 


180  ASAPH. 

scattered  in  all  directions,  and  left  him  deserted,  save  by  a 
few  princes  of  his  house  and  his  wives  and  children. 

Further  flight  was  now  useless,  and  poor,  brave  Zede- 
kiah  was  forced  at  last  to  submit. 

He  was  quickly  surrounded  by  a  shouting,  victorious 
multitude,  who  bore  him  in  triumph  to  Nebuchadnezzar  at 
Kiblah,  from  which  city  he  had  directed  both  the  siege  of 
Tyre  and  Jerusalem.  Asaph  had  followed  secretly. 

When  Zedekiah  was  brought  before  the  King  of  Baby 
lon,  he  was  intensely  angry,  and  cried: 

"Oh,  thou  wretch!  thou  covenant  breaker!  Did  1  not 
give  thee  a  fair  kingdom  to  keep  for  rue,  and  not  to  make 
alliance  with  mine  enemies?  But  God  is  great,  and  hateth 
that  conduct  of  thine,  and  hath  brought  thee  under  us!"* 

Then,  at  a  sign,  they  brought  Zedekiah 's  sons — beauti 
ful  boys — and  placing  them  before  his  eyes,  the  soldiers 
pierced  them  through  and  through  with  many  sword- 
thrusts. 

Zedekiah  cried  out  in  agony. 

"  They  are  sons  of  a  false  father,  and  shall  not  live  to 
be  mine  enemies!"  cried  the  mighty  king. 

Then  the  princes  were  also  put  to  the  sword. 

Zedekiah  could  almost  feel  the  cold  steel  at  his  own 
heart,  but  he  was  not  anticipating  the  cruel  torture  in 
store  for  him. 

"  Thou  treacherous  wretch!  thou  shalt  not  see  my  glory, 
nor  the  beauty  of  Babylon  the  great!"  said  Nebuchad 
nezzar. 

*  Josephus. 


ASAPH.  181 

At  a  sign  from  him  two  soldiers  approached  with  each  a 
small  brazier  of  fire. 

They  pressed  the  points  of  their  swords  into  the  fires, 
then,  standing  before  the  king,  they  awaited  the  sign. 

Zedekiah  turned  pale  with  horror.  Nebuchadnezzar 
smiled  a  ghastly  smile,  and  clapped  his  hands. 

Simultaneously  the  soldiers  plunged  the  red-hot  swords 
into  the  staring  eyes  of  the  captive  king;  two  little  wreaths 
of  smoke  ascended,  and  the  smell  of  burning  human  flesh 
filled  the  air.  Zedekiah  shrieked  and  fell  to  the  earth, 
writhing  in  agony.  Asaph,  from  his  conceal  merit,  swooned 
with  horror. 

The  poor,  blinded  king,  bound  in  chains  of  brass,  was 
led  like  a  dumb  beast  captive  to  the  great  city  of  Babylon. 


182  ASAPH. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

ASAPH   HIDES   IN   THE  TEMPLE  CISTERNS. — JERUSALEM   IS 
BURNED. 

WHEN  Asaph  recovered  consciousness,  the  plain  was  de 
serted,  save  by  the  birds  of  prey  that  had  scented  blood 
and  hovered  above  the  bodies  of  the  murdered  princes. 

With  a  heavy  heart  he  turned  and  fled  back  to  Jerusa 
lem. 

What  a  forlorn  sight  met  his  eyes!  Outside  the  walls 
the  ground  was  strewn  with  the  leavings  of  the  vast  army, 
and  there,  fighting  with  the  flocks  of  evil  birds,  were  the 
poor,  hungry  Israelites — the  remnant  of  the  once  proud 
tribe  of  Judah — searching  for  castaway  bits  of  food  and 
lees  of  wine. 

How  eagerly  they  pressed  the  empty  bottles  to  their 
parched  lips,  and  how  they  snatched  and  fought  for  any 
goodly  piece  of  bread  or  bit  of  llesh!  The  love  of  kin  was 
quite  forgotten,  and  self  alone  predominated. 

What  could  Asaph  do?  It  is  useless  to  preach  to  an 
empty  stomach;  this  he  knew  from  the  experience  of 
many  months.  He  thanked  Jehovah  for  ending  the  fam 
ine,  for  now  the  people  that  were  left — those  who  had 
secreted  themselves,  or  had  been  overlooked  in  the  haste 
of  the  enemy — were  free  to  go  into  the  valleys,  where  they 
could  hunt  or  seek  for  wild  honey,  or  fruits,  dates,  figs, 
grapes,  olives — this  last  was  both  food  and  llebh  to  them, 


ASAPH.  183 

for  without  its  oil  domestic  life  would  be  sorely  inconven 
ienced. 

The  gardens  of  lentils,  millet,  leeks,  and  sweet  spices, 
had  all  been  devastated  by  the  enemy,  but  they  found 
much  food  in  the  deserted  camp,  and  some  were  too  weak 
to  restrain  themselves,  and  eat  and  gorged  till  they  lay 
like  dead. 

Asaph  hurried  from  the  sad  sight,  and  going  into  the 
city,  he  hastened  to  his  house. 

[low  sad  and  deserted  it  was!  Where  was  his  mother 
now?  Was  she  in  safety?  Would  he  ever  see  her  loved 
face  again?  Then  he  went  to  the  house  of  Shalmai.  The 
doors  were  wide  open,  so  he  passed  into  the  houses  of  all 
his  friends,  and  he  noticed  that  the  places  where  they  kept 
the  writings  of  the  sacred  law  were  vacant,  then  he  fell  to 
the  earth  and  prayed. 

"  Oh,  Jehovah!  to  Thy  holy  name  be  all  glory!  From 
river  to  river  and  from  sea  to  sea  let  the  seed  of  Thy 
sacred  law,  which  is  thus  sown  among  many  peoples,  bear 
rich  fruit,  so  that  the  whole  world  shall  understand  Thy 
loving-kindness,  and  that  they  may  be  good  to  the  poor. 
And,  oh!  keep  my  mother  from  all  sickness  and  harm, 
and  let  us  once  more  behold  each  other  face  to  face!  Amen 
and  arncn!"- 

Jle  arose,  feeling  strengthened  and  less  dreary  and  for 
saken.  Suddenly  he  thought  of  his  friend  Jeremiah,  and 
immediately  proceeded  to  the  prison,  but  the  doors  were 
open,  and  the  cells  empty.  He  passed  on  to  the  palace, 
but  it  was  utterly  deserted;  the  poor  people  who  were  left 
had  the  hereditary  awe  for  their  king  and  royal  family, 


184:  ASA  PH. 

anil  so  had  left  it  undisturbed.  80  it  was  still  in  all  the 
glory  of  its  wondrous  beauty,  the  Chaldeans  at  the  last  be 
ing  in  too  great  a  hurry  to  spoil  it  of  its  treasures  or  to  mar 
its  fair  proportions. 

He  went  into  Elia's  pavilion.  He  thought  of  the  many 
happy  hours  he  had  spent  here  when  a  boy,  and  how  the 
little  princess  had  ever  loved  him  from  the  first,  and  how 
beautiful  and  good  she  was.  Should  they  ever  meet  again? 

"  Yes,"  he  cried,  "  I  will  search  for  her  to  the  ends  of 
the  earth!" 

He  touched,  with  a  caressing  hand,  her  little  treasures, 
the  playthings  of  her  childhood,  the  dainty  work-tools  of 
her  maiden  hours,  and  the  pretty  ornaments  that  used  to 
adorn  her  neck  and  brow,  and  tears  of  sorrow  for  her  ab 
sence  fell  on  the  glittering  toys. 

He  had  no  plans  arranged  for  the  future;  that  he  left  in 
-Jehovah's  hands.  Now  he  would  do  what  he  could  to  help 
his  pnor  brothers  left  in  Jerusalem,  where  the  people  had 
somewhat  settled  down  to  a  miserable,  forlorn  existence. 

Asaph  went  daily  into  the  wilderness  and  brought  them 
food,  and  many  looked  for  his  coming  with  eagerness  and 
greeted  him  with  joy.  And  to  each  he  spoke  of  the  love 
and  kindness  of  their  neglected  God,  and  by  his  efforts 
turned  many  to  Him  where  they  found  peace  of  heart  and 
mind. 

One  day  Asaph  went  into  the  Temple  and  unconsciously 
entered  the  uncurtained  Holy  of  Holies.  He  quickly  cov 
ered  his  eyes  with  his  mantle  and  prayed  for  forgiveness 
for  thus  unwittingly  breaking  the  law;  but  no  fearful  pun 
ishment  came  upon  him  for  his  act,  and  this  made  him 


ASA PH.  185 

meditate.  He  did  not  yet  fully  realize  that  the  old  laws 
were  passing  away;  the  bloody  sacrifices  of  the  Temple 
that  had  polluted  the  ground  with  blood  for  over  four 
hundred  years  were  become  distasteful  to  God,  and  the 
ground  must  be  purified.  Again  and  again  had  the  Lord 
declared  through  His  prophets  that  the  burned  offerings 
were  a  stench  ill  his  nostrils.  He  desired  a  purer  religion: 
to  speak  no  evil  of  any  one,  to  live  in  peace,  charity,  and 
holiness.  False  weights  and  measures  were  an  abomination 
in  his  sight,  and  the  Israelites  were  reproved  again  and 
again  for  their  covetousness  and  false  dealing. 

In  the  silent  solitude  of  the  Temple  Asaph  seemed  to 
corne  very  near  to  his  loving  Father,  and  to  have  a  clear 
er,  deeper  insight  into  the  Scripture  and  the  interpretation 
of  the  law. 

One  day,  as  he  was  looking  over  his  beloved  city  from 
the  Temple  mount,  just  one  month  lacking  two  days* 
from  the  time  the  first  gate  fell  in  Jerusalem,  he  noticed 
from  the  north- west  a  great  cloud  of  dust.  Nearer  and 
nearer  it  came,  and  once  more  the  glittering  paraphernalia 
of  armed  men  burst  upon  his  sight,  together  with  chariots, 
horses,  camels,  and  great  carts. 

Was  not  this  poor  remnant  of  Judah  to  be  left  alive,  or 
were  they  coming  to  devastate  the  city? 

In  a  moment  ho  was  in  the  streets  warning  the  people, 
and  many  lied  and  secreted  themselves  in  the  ruined 
tombs  that  were  plentiful  in  the  valley;  but  Asaph  went 
back  to  the  Temple,  and  there  uttering  a  prayer  to  Crod, 

*  Authorities  differ  about  the  date. 


186  ASAPH. 

he  went  into  the  inclosure  that  contained  the  opening  to 
the  immense  cisterns  beneath  the  Temple.  After  looking 
down  some  time  he  lowered  the  great  bucket,  then  fast 
ened  the  rope  so  that  it  could  descend  no  further,  then  he 
grasped  the  rope  firmly  with  both  hands  and  feet  and  de 
scended  slowly,  so  as  not  to  tear  his  ilesh.  At  first  he 
could  distingiush  nothing  in  the  semi-darkness,  then  look 
ing  beneath  him  he  could  see  the  water  shining  in  the 
shaft  of  light  that  came  from  the  opening  above. 

He  grasped  the  rope  still  firmer  and  paused  in  his  de 
scent.  How  deep  was  the  water,  and  how  to  reach  the  rocky 
ledges  that  projected  all  around  above  the  little  sea?  lie 
thought  for  a  moment,  then  gently  swayed  the  rope  till  it 
assumed  an  oscillating  motion  whose  area  became  larger 
and  larger  as  he  descended.  Now  he  almost  touched  the 
rocks — again,  but  his  foot  slipped;  this  time  he  must  ac 
complish  it.  lie  planted  his  feet  firmly,  but  with  diffi 
culty  retained  the  rope,  which  he  needed  for  future  use; 
he  secured  it  by  placing  a  heavy  rock  in  the  bucket. 

His  eyes  soon  became  accustomed  to  the  bright  spot  of 
light  that  radiated  for  a  space  around  but  left  much  of 
the  immense  place  in  utter  darkness. 

For  awhile  he  forgot  all  else  as  he  traversed  the  rocky 
ledges  and  wondered  at  the  gigantic  arches  that  supported 
the  Temple  foundations.  What  a  wtmdrous  work  was 
here!  and  the  water  so  clear  and  sparkling.  The  cistern, 
or  rather  immense  cavern,  was  capable  of  containing  un 
told  quantities,  so  it  was  to  this  superhuman  work  of  the 
wise  Solomon  that  they  owed  their  lives  for  not  famishing 
for  lack  of  water  as  well  as  food. 


ASAPH.  187 

The  time  passed  away  unnoticed  by  Asaph  till  he  was 
aroused  by  the  shouting  of  many  voices  and  the  sound  of 
heavy  blows  in  the  Temple  above — the  beautiful  Temple 
that  had  never  echoed  even  to  the  sound  of  hammer  and 
saw  to  be  thus  desecrated  by  the  destructive  blows  of  Is- 
rael's  cruel  enemies! 

He  would  ascend  immediately  and  defend  it  with  his 
life:  but  suddenly  the  thought  came  to  him  that  God's 
word  was  being  fulfilled  that  had  been  spoken  by  (he 
Prophet  Jeremiah;  so  he  was  powerless  to  interfere.  Still 
he  could  not  help  suffering  intense  mental  pain  at  the 
thought  of  the  ruthless  destruction  of  the  magnificent 
holy  Temple. 

After  many  hours  of  anxious  listening  the  water  in  the 
cistern  changed  to  blood.  Asaph's  heart  seemed  to  leap 
into  his  throat. 

"Oh,  God!  oh,  God!  Thy  Temple  is  on  fire!"  he 
cried,  and  fell  on  the  rocks  and  writhed  in  the  intensify  of 
his  grief. 

How  long  he  remained  in  the  cistern  he  could  not  tell— 
whether  it  was  hours  or  days.  At  last  he  became  faint 
from  hunger  and  exhausted  by  his  painful  emotions. 

Death  seemed  the  easiest  way  to  end  his  misery;  but 
suddenly  the  thought  of  his  mother  and  Elia  aroused  him. 
Perhaps  even  now  they  were  needing  him,  and  watching 
each  passing  face  in  hopes  that  it  would  be  his.  He  would 
go  to  them.  He  felt  for  the  rope — it  was  gone!  In  his 
grief  he  had  touched  the  bucket;  it  had  rolled  from  the 
rock,  and  now  hung  in  the  center  of  the  water.  He  threw 
u  stone  to  try  the  depth.  From  the  sound  it  was  immeas- 


188  ASAPH. 

urably  deep.  He  was  entombed  alive!  After  the  first 
shock  of  horror  was  over  a  sweet  peace  came  over  him, 
and  he  slept. 

When  he  awoke  he  was  very  sveak.  Clouds  of  smoke 
darkened  the  opening  above;  then  for  a  moment  it  would  be 
clear  and  bright,  then  blood  red  with  yellow  flashing  flames. 

lie  groped  about  the  dark  to  try  and  find  some  means 
of  egress;  but  he  had  to  feel  every  footstep  lest  he  should 
plunge  unwittingly  into  the  deep  water.  How  many  times 
he  went  around  the  immense  place  or  whether  he  ever 
skirted  it  once  he  could  not  tell;  but  the  time  seemed 
long,  and  he  was  about  to  give  up  in  despair,  when  he 
suddenly  came  upon  a  llight  of  steps  cut  in  a  deep  recess. 
He  cautiously  ascended  them,  his  heart  beating  fast  with 
excitement.  At  last  he  came  to  a  door.  He  tried  it,  but 
it  did  not  yield  to  his  hand;  then  he  picked  up  a  rock  and 
pounded  it  with  the  strength  of  despair.  At  last  the  lock 
gave  way,  and  the  door  swung  open.  What  a  sight  met 
his  gaze!  The  Temple  a  smoldering  mass,  and  the  city  be 
yond  only  heaps  of  burning  ruins!  The  gates  were  still 
on  fire,  and  the  walls  broken  and  destroyed,  and  in  many 
places  leveled  to  the  ground.* 

Away  ol?  in  the  valley  he  could  see,  by  the  light  of  the 
rising  moon,  great  masses  of  people  moving  toward  the 
north. 

"  I  will  go  to  my  mother,"  he  said.  And  with  a  last 
lingering  loving  look  toward  Jerusalem,  he  followed  after 
them. 

*  The  Temple  was  burned  four  hundred  and  seventy  years  six 
months  and  ten  days  after  it  was  built. 


ASA  PH.  189 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

BABYLON. 

FOOTSORE  and  weary  Asaph  kept  on  the  fearful  march, 
resting  when  the  army  rested,  and  living  on  the  crumbs  of 
food  left  in  their  path.  Sometimes  he  found  wild  honey, 
and  sometimes  shot  and  cooked  a  clean  bird. 

When  he  came  to  a  well  or  stream  he  never  neglected  to 
purify  himself  and  perform  his  devotions;  so  when  at  last 
they  arrived  at  the  great  city  his  beauty  was  scarcely 
marred  save  the  rounded  contour  of  his  graceful  limbs 
was  just  a  little  shrunk  from  their  fair  proportions. 

Jle  entered  with  the  stragglers,  and  when  the  watchman 
at  the  gate  saw  him  he  wondered  at  his  beauty  and  spoke 
to  the  captain. 

"  Thou  hast  brought  a  young  god  in  beauty  among  thy 
captives.  The  king  will  thank  thee  for  such  a  present/' 

The  captain  looked. 

"  Why,  1  saw  him  not  before.  Didst  thou  come  with 
us?"  he  said. 

"  Ay,  but  voluntarily,"  Asaph  answered. 

"  Art  thou  not  a  captive,  and  an  Israelite?" 

"An  Israelite,  ay,  but  a  captive,  no.  See,  I  have  no 
chains." 

"Why  didst  thou  come,  then?'''  the  captain  asked,  SIF- 
tonished. 


11)0  ASAPH. 

"  1  would  serve  Nebuchadnezzar  and  live  in  Babylon; 
my  mother  and  my  friends  are  here  as  captives." 

The  captain,  Nebuzar-adan,  took  Asaph  to  his  own  house 
and  fed  and  clothed  him  in  rich  apparel.  The  first  day  the 
king  gave  audience  to  his  people  the  captain  presented 
Asaph  to  him.  At  a  sign  from  his  protector  he  prostrated 
himself  to  the  floor.  Nebuchadnezzar  extended  his  scep 
ter  for  him  to  arise.  When  he  stood  before  his  feet  all  the 
glory  of  his  transcendant  beauty  and  his  fair  proportions 
struck  the  king's  eye  with  amazement  aiid  pleasure,  for  of 
all  the  kings  of  the  earth  Nebuchadnezzar  most  loved 
beauty  of  form  and  color. 

"  Speak!  what  would st  thou?''  he  said. 

"  Oh,  king,  live  forever!"  Asaph  replied,  making  a  sec 
ond  obeisance.  "  1  would  serve  thee,  oh,  Nebuchadnez 
zar.  My  mother  is  a  captive  Israelite.  I  would  be  near 
her  and  live  in  Babylon." 

The  king  smiled  at  this  unusual  speech  that  would  have 
cost  others  dearly;  but  Asaph's  golden  hair,  his  glorious 
beauty  drove  all  other  thoughts  from  Nebuchadnezzar's 
breast  save  pleasure  at  the  sight. 

"  Art  thou  not  also  a  captive?"  he  asked. 

"  Nay,  great  king.  I  came  to  thee  voluntarily,  walk 
ing  all  the  weary  way." 

Nebuchadnezzar's  brow  darkened. 

"  Art  thou  the  treacherous  Zedekiah's  son?"  he  asked. 

"  Nay,  oh,  king,  1  am  a  friend  of  Jeremiah  and  serv 
ant  of  the  great  Jehovah.  I  drew  not  a  single  bow  against 
thy  men  of  war." 

The  king's  brow  cleared  again,  and  his  admiration  for 


ASAPH.  191 

Asaph  increased  each  moment — for  Nebuchadnezzar  could 
love  long  and  tenderly  those  who  were  truly  his  friends, 
and  he  could  hate  as  long  and  bitterly  those  who  had 
proved  false  to  him. 

The  king  looked  at  him  in  silence,  scanning  him  from 
head  to  foot. 

"Thou  art  a  young  god  in  beauty!"  at  last  he  cried 
enthusiastically.  Then  noticing  the  scar:  "  But  what  has 
thus  marred  thy  fair  face?" 

For  a  moment  Asaph  drooped  his  head,  then  said: 

"  Oh,  king,  as  a  little  child  they  would  pass  me  through 
the  fire  to  Moloch;  but  my  mother  saved  me." 

"  Those  Jews  were  a  cruel  people.  The  worship  of  our 
gods  is  not  so  sanguinary.  Thy  mother  did  well  to  save 
theo  for  my  service. "  Then  turning  to  the  captain  he 
said:  '"Tis  well." 

Nebuzar-adan  felt  a  thrill  of  joy,  for  that  was  praise 
enough. 

"  Take  the  young  man  to  thy  house.  Stay — what  is  thy 
name?" 

"  Asaph,  oh,  king!"  he  replied. 

"  It  has  a  pleasant  sound.     I  will  not  change  it." 

The  audience  was  ended,  so  Asaph  made  obeisance  and 
departed  with  his  new  friend. 

With  an  absolute  monarch  like  Nebuchadnezzar  every 
thing  is  possible  that  is  achievable  by  human  ingenuity  or 
intellect  or  unlimited  power;  so  Ilelah  was  soon  found 
and  installed  with  Asaph  in  the  royal  palace,  surrounded 
by  every  luxury  and  attention. 


1!)2  ASAPH. 

The  venerable  Shalmai  was  given  a  place  of  liouor,  and 
Asaph  was  his  friend  during  the  rest  of  his  life. 

Each  day  the  affection  of  Nebuchadnezzar  for  Asaph 
seemed  to  increase,  for  he  was  in  the  very  flower  of  his 
youth  and  beauty,  so  he  almost  immediately  appointed 
him  one  of  his  outriders. 

Dressed  in  magnificent  garments,  with  his  beautiful  hair 
falling  below  his  shoulders  and  profusely  powdered  with 
gold  dust,  riding  on  a  spirited  horse  with  the  other  youths, 
each  morning  he  preceded  the  king  in  his  daily  drives. 
The  sight  was  so  entrancingly  beautiful  that  people  flocked 
to  their  doors  and  gave  thanks  to  all  their  gods  for  being 
permitted  to  behold  it,  then  sighed  as  the  cavalcade  swept 
on  into  the  distance  and  was  lost  to  view. 

The  king  would  scarcely  ever  let  Asaph  leave  his  pres 
ence,  so  made  him  one  of  his  cup-bearers  also;  he  seemed 
to  delight  in  the  admiration  he  excited;  and  it  was  indeed 
a  picture  worthy  to  be  preserved  for  all  time.  Asaph's 
fair  angelic  beauty  standing  out  like  an  ideal  sun-god's 
against  the  dusky,  brilliant,  fascinating  splendor  of  the 
thrice-handsome  Nebuchadnezzar,  with  his  hair  black  and 
nhining  as  the  raven's  wing,  arranged  in  stately  curls,  his 
beard  of  the  same  hue  and  waving  almost  to  his  waist,  and 
his  eyes  cruel  and  black  when  angry,  but  with  those  he 
loved  soft  and  tender  as  a  mother's. 

The  king  never  allowed  him  to  accompany  him  on  his 
war  expeditions. 

"  No,  no,"  he  would  say,  "  thou  hast  had  hurt  enough; 
remain  to  glad  my  sight  on  my  return." 

Everything  possible  to  make  Asaph  happy  and  content- 


ASAPH.  193 

ed  was  done  by  both  king  and  officers;  but  he  had  a  pain 
in  his  heart  nothing  could  assuage — he  was  ignorant  of 
the  fate  of  his  loved  princess — \vhether  she  was  yet  living, 
a  captive  with  her  uncle,  or  carried  off  by  some  of  the 
brutal  allies,  or  dead,  he  could  not  ascertain, 

Day  by  day,  as  he  rode  before  the  king,  he  scrutinized 
each  face  in  the  hope  of  seeing  hers  he  loved;  but  each 
day  he  was  disappointed  of  his  hope.  Half  the  night  he 
took  from  sleep  and  wandered  disguised  through  the  vari 
ous  quarters  assigned  to  his  exiled  people.  He  listened  to 
every  plaintive  cry  of  the  homesick  Israelites  sighing  for 
their  beautiful  mountains  and  almost  cursing  the  hot 
level  plains  of  Babylon,  still  he  heard  no  speech  that 
thrilled  him  with  the  sweet  sound  of  Elia's  voice. 

Knowing  how  the  king  hated  Zedekiah,  he  dared  not 
mention  one  of  the  royal  family,  so  he  searched  all  alone 
and  with  a  breaking  heart;  yet  before  the  king  he  must 
ever  be  smiling  and  happy. 

About  this  time  Nebuchadnezzar  had  an  immense  beau 
tiful  golden  image  constructed  and  set  up  in  the  plain  of 
Dura,  near  Babylon.  He  was  a  restless,  ambitious  man, 
always  desiring  some  greater  god  to  worship.  The  prepa 
rations  for  the  dedication  of  this  image  were  of  unusual 
magnitude  and  grandeur,  and  all  the  princes  and  people 
were  summoned  to  be  present  and  take  part  in  its  worship. 
But  Asaph  determined  he  would  lose  his  life  before  he 
would  thus  insult  the  true  God.  So  when  the  magnificent 
festival  was  at  its  height  the  herald  cried: 

"  To  you  it  is  commanded,  oh,  people,  nations,  and  lan 
guages,  that  at  what  time  ye  hear  the  sound  of  the  cornet, 

7 


194  ASAPH. 

flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  dulcimer,  and  all  kinds  of 
music,  ye  fall  down  and  worship  the  image  that  Nebu 
chadnezzar  the  kind  hath  set  up.  And  whoso  falleth  not 
down  and  worshipeth  shall  the  same  hour  be  cast  in  the 
midst  of  a  burning  fiery  furnace." 

Then  the  music  sounded,  and  all  bowed  and  worshiped, 
even  the  Jews,  save  only  a  few. 

But  Asaph,  on  whom  the  king  leaned,  being  somewhat 
shorter  in  stature,  stood  erect  to  support  him,  and  no  one 
noticed. 

But  the  native  princes  were  jealous  of  the  power  pos 
sessed  by  some  of  the  captive  race,  and  accused  them  be 
fore  the  king,  and  they  were  condemned  to  a  terrible  pun 
ishment. 

But  God  was  with  them,  and  used  the  miraculous  escape 
of  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abednego  as  a  means  to  en 
lighten  Xebuchadnezzar  as  to  the  true  God,  and  for  awhile 
he  worshiped  the  great  Jehovah;  but  he  had  not  attained 
as  yet  to  a  true  understanding  of  the  Most  High,  and  his 
lapses  to  idolatry  were  numerous. 


ASAPH.  195 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THE    LION    HUNT. — THE   ARENA. 

STILL  no  news  of  Elia  came  to  the  waiting,  watching 
Asaph.  llelah  sympathized  with  her  son,  for  she  too 
loved  the  gentle  beautiful  princess. 

Each  night  before  his  search  began  he  would  visit  his 
mother  and  tell  her  the  news  of  the  day,  and  ascertain 
from  her  aught  that  had  occurred  of  interest  to  either  of 
them,  or  that  would  give  him  any  hope  of  ultimate  success 
in  his  weary  search. 

One  day  the  palace  was  in  a  state  of  subdued  excite 
ment,  for  the  king  was  going  hunting,  and  extra  prepara 
tions  were  being  made.  All  the  young  men  composing  his 
outriders  were  each  one  busy  with  several  attendants 
combing  their  hair  out  from  its  curl  till  it  lay  in  waves 
upon  their  shoulders,  then  powdering  it  profusely  with 
fine  gold  dust,  painting  their  faces  both  red  and  white, 
and  rubbing  their  bodies  with  rich,  sweet-scented  un 
guents,  placing  their  finest  ear-rings  in  their  ears,  and 
dressing  them  in  their  most  magnificent  apparel. 

The  king's  robes  were  embroidered  and  fringed  till  not 
a  spot  remained  unadorned;  his  high  head-dress  was  a 
mass  of  gold  and  jeweled  work,  with  several  flying  horned 
horses  in  filigree  around  the  crown. 

Nebuchadnezzar  dearly  loved  this  regal  display  when  he 


196  A8APH. 

drove  through  the  streets  of  Babylon,  "  the  city  which  is 
the  delight  of  mine  eyes." 

How  gloriously  did  Asaph's  beauty  show  by  contrast 
with  these  bepainted  youths!  And  as  the  splendid  caval 
cade  swept  through  the  palace  gates,  to  the  flourish  of 
trumpets  and  the  plaudits  of  the  people,  Nebuchadnezzar's 
heart  swelled  with  love  for  the  beautiful  boy.  On  they 
dashed,  through  the  fine,  broad  streets,  the  populace  lin 
ing  the  way,  ani  cheering  as  they  passed,  for  all  loved  or 
respected  the  king — even  the  Jews,  finding  him  a  lenient 
master  and  well  disposed  toward  the  flower  of  Israel,  gave 
him  just  praise. 

They  crossed  the  Euphrates  on  the  great  bridge,  then 
passed  out  of  one  of  the  hundred  gates — the  Gate  of  Nein — 
on,  on  into  the  wilderness. 

Asaph  rode  neur  to  the  chariot's  side.  Nebuchadnezzar 
looked  upon  him  as  almost  a  being  from  another  world, 
for  he  had  heard  the  story  of  his  descent  from  the  sons  of 
God,  and  his  beauty,  purity,  and  goodness  were  all  factors 
to  enhance  the  king's  regard. 

On  still  further  into  the  wilderness,  still  no  game  ap 
peared.  Asaph  left  the  chariot's  side  for  a  moment,  and 
gave  a  low,  peculiar  cry.  After  a  pause  he  repeated  it, 
but  unobserved  by  all;  then  from  the  forest  came  a  low 
roar;  another  cry  from  Asaph,  then  a  magnificent  lion 
slowly  emerged  from  the  wilderness,  looking  about  as  if 
seeking  for  its  mate,  whose  cry  of  distress  Asaph  had  so 
well  imitated. 

In  a  moment  the  outriders  parted  to  the  right  and  left, 
and  Nebuchadnezzar  and  Asaph  swept  to  the  front. 


ASAPH.  197 

Again  Asapli  repeated  the  cry,  then  let  the  king  ad 
vance  alone  to  have  all  the  glory  of  the  capture,  for  he  had 
said  at  first  sight  of  the  lion: 

"  1  will  not  kill  so  glorious  a  beast,  but  only  wound  and 
bind  him." 

Nebuchadnezzar  drew  a  steady  bow,  and  his  aim  was 
sure.  Quickly  the  dart  transfixed  the  lion's  paw,  and  held 
him  to  the  ground.  The  king  leaped  from  his  chariot, 
and  throwing  several  cords  about  the  beast,  soon  had  him 
bound  and  helpless.  He  was  placed  in  a  separate  chariot, 
the  driver  of  which  proceeded  immediately  behind  the 
king. 

This  was  glory  enough  for  one  day,  so  Nebuchadnezzar 
gave  orders  for  the  return.  An  outrider  hastened  with  all 
speed  back  to  the  city,  and  informed  the  officers  and  peo 
ple  of  the  great  event. 

When  the  king  entered  the  gates  of  Babylon,  it  was  as 
if  he  had  returned  triumphant  from  the  wars;  the  whole 
city  came  forth  to  meet  and  cheer  him  and  throw  flowers 
in  his  way.  The  eunuchs  and  chief  officers  of  the  king's 
household,  wishing  to  show  their  admiration  for  his  won 
derful  prowess  in  capturing  alive  the  magnificent  king  of 
beasts,  also  wishing  to  flatter  him  in  a  new  and  most 
unique  manner,  presented  an  humble  petition,  asking  for 
permission  to  erect  a  temporary  building*  where  the  lion 
could  be  exhibited  to  his  delighted  people,  and  that  for 
once  those  condemned  to  the  lion's  den  might  be  given  a 
chance  to  fight  for  their  lives  in  public. 

*  This  is  an  historical  liberty,  as  it  was  several  hundred  years 
after  that  the  first  amphitheater  was  built. 


198  ASAPH. 

Nebuchadnezzar  graciously  granted  this  request,  and  the 
work  progressed  rapidly. 

In  the  meantime  there  was  a  magnificent  festival  to  Bel- 
tis,  in  her  beautiful  shrine  in  the  immense  Temple  of 
Bel  us.  Before  the  goddess  stood  two  golden  lions  and  two 
enormous  silver  serpents,  and  many  seats.  Here  were 
crowded  the  women  worshipers,  who,  no  matter  how 
wealthy  or  how  high  their  social  position,  were  compelled 
once  in  their  lives  to  sacrifice  their  chastity  to  the  first 
man  who  threw  a  silver  coin  in  their  lap.*  The  coin  was 
considered  sacred  to  the  goddess,  and  could  not  be  refused. 

The  festival  progressed  with  music  and  merriment,  and 
the  coming  and  going  of  many  strangers  attracted  by  this 
unique  but  unchaste  custom,  and  the  constant  arrival  and 
departure  of  the  women,  many  coming  in  .conveyances 
with  retinues  of  attendants,  bearing  food  and  change  of 
apparel — as  all  were  compelled  to  remain  till  the  goddess 
was  obeyed,  some,  being  old  or  ill-favored,  not  leaving  the 
Temple  for  years. 

Suddenly,  at  the  first  great  shrine  of  Bel,  as  clouds  of 
inceuso  arose  from  the  thousand  talents'  worth  burned 
daily,  a  lovely  figure  appeared,  like  an  apparition,  out  of 
the  soft  mist.  But  clinging  to  its  skirts  was  an  Ethio 
pian,  black  arid  shining,  but  silent  with  terror. 

"  Xo,  no!"  she  cried,  as  two  priestesses  attempted  to 
force  her  up  the  incline  that  wound  around  the  seven  de 
creasing  elevations  that  led  to  the  shrines  of  Bel  and  Bel- 
tis,  "  I  will  not  go.  1  am  a  daughter  of  Zion,  a  child  of 
Israel.  I  will  not  pollute  my  body  by  this  worship  of  the 

*  Rftwliuson. 


ASAPH.  199 

false  gods  of  Babylon!  I  adore  Jehovah  alone,  the  one 
true  God!" 

"  Impious  wretch!"  cried  one  of  the  priestesses.  "  How 
darest  thou  thus  slander  our  great  goddess?  Thy  mouth 
should  burn  with  thy  words!" 

And  she  struck  her  on  her  tender  lips  till  the  blood 
trickled  down  in  a  little  stream  and  fell  upon  her  gar 
ments. 

"  I  will  not — no,  I  will  not  thus  break  the  pure  laws  of 
our  most  gracious  God!  I  will  not  shame  the  name  of  our 
poor  captive  people!" 

"  Aha!  thon  art  a  captive  Jewess,  and  thus  defy  our 
sacred  rites!  There  is  a  way  to  make  thee  submit — the 
fiery  furnace,  the  lion's  den!"  cried  the  priestess. 

"  The  fiery  furnace  would  be  a  bed  of  roses  compared  to 
the  wickedness  of  this  worship  of  thy  detested  goddess,  the 
embrace  of  the  lion  kindness  to  that  to  which  thou  wouldst 
have  me  submit!" 

"  No,  no;  no  burn  up  in  furnace.  Cleo  die! — no  let  lion 
eat  up  pretty  white  flesh!" 

"Impious,  impious!"  shrieked  the  priestess.  "Thou 
wast  born  under  an  evil  star,  and  on  an  unlucky  day!" 

Then,  as  they  obstructed  the  way  and  the  crowd  began 
to  laugh,  she  beckoned  to  a  priest,  and  said: 

"Take  this  wretch  away  and  put  her  in  a  dungeon 
until  the  furnace  is  prepared  or  the  lions  ready!" 

"  Thrice-welcome  death!"  the  maiden  cried,  as  she  was 
borne  away,  the  Ethiopian  shrieking  wildly  and  tearing 
her  garments. 


200  ASAl'H. 

At  length  the  day  arrived  for  the  public  spectacle  to  the 
king  anil  people.  All  the  city  was  in  a  state  of  wild  enjoy 
ment;  houses,  temples,  palaces,  were  all  decorated  with 
the  utmost  splendor,  for  it  was  the  king's  birthday,  and 
all  wished  to  do  honor  to  the  occasion. 

lu  the  amphitheater,  tier  on  tier  ot  faces  arose  from  the 
floor  to  the  height  of  the  great  wall;  all  Babylon  would 
have  been  present  had  it  been  possible. 

The  great  Nebuchadnezzar,  with  his  beloved  wife,  Ani}'- 
itis,  and  his  son,  Enil-Merodach,  together  with  his  especial 
favorites  and  guards,  occupied  a  special  portion  decorated 
with  banners  and  ensigns  of  Babylonia  placed  above  the 
beautiful  captured  insignia  of  his  many  vassals. 

Asaph,  pale  and  sad,  stood  by  the  king's  side.  He  had 
heard  some  slight  intimation  that  the  games  were  to  be 
cruel,  and  perhaps  blood  would  be  shed,  and  he  whose 
heart  was  so  gentle  could  not  contemplate  the  sufferings 
of  others,  or  of  even  poor  dumb  animals,  without  his  own 
heart  enduring  all  their  pain. 

Inspiring  music  made  glad  the  vast  assemblage,  and 
from  the  elegantly  dressed  people  the  intoxicating  per 
fume  from  delicate  unguents  filled  the  air. 

With  a  flourish  of  trumpets  the  games  commenced. 
There  was  wrestling,  vaulting,  running,  and  jumping  by 
those  skilled  in  these  arts,  both  among  the  native  youths 
and  those  of  the  many  captured  nations.  These  sports 
were  miu-h  enjoyed  by  the  spectators,  as  each  was  "  on  his 
mettle  "  to  do  his  very  best  before  such  an  illustrious  as 
semblage.  Asaph 's  heart  beat  fast,  and  ever  and  anon  he 
could  almost  fancy  himself  one  of  the  contestants,  espe- 


ASA  PH.  201 

ciully  as  they  sped  around  the  arena  fleet  as  the  wind, 
lie,  too,  joined  in  the  applause,  giving  a  sigh  of  relief, 
thinking  the  exhibition  was  to  end  in  these  peaceful 
games.  But  the  hush  of  expectation  that  fell  upon  the 
audience  told  him  something  more  exciting  was  to  come. 

The  music  burst  forth  in  the  strains  of  a  national  hymn. 
JS'ow  they  knew  what  was  coming. 

"  The  lion!  the  lion!"  they  shouted,  and  the  excitement 
knew  no  bounds. 

Several  gaudily  dressed  attendants  entered  from  a  side 
door,  bearing  a  great  wooden  cage;  they  placed  it  in  the 
arena  in  full  view  of  the  people;  then  one  mounted  on  top 
of  it,  and  remained  like  a  statue.  It  contained  the  capt 
ured  lion.  Suddenly  a  herald  came  from  an  opposite 
door,  and  stood  in  the  arena;  he  blew  a  shrill  blast  upon 
the  trumpet,  then  cried: 

"  Oh,  king,  live  forever!  One  of  the  meanest  of  thy 
slaves  has  dared  to  defy  thy  power,  neither  worshiping  thy 
great  image  on  the  plain,  nor  giving  tribute  to  our  good 
Beltis.  She  scandalized  the  service  of  the  godess  and 
brought  our  religion  into  contempt.  She  has  been  con 
demned  by  divine  command  to  punishment  by  furnace  or 
by  beasts. 

"  But,  oh,  king  of  all  the  earth,  knowing  thy  wondrous 
kindness,  \vo  ask  thy  permission  to  grant  this  maiden  a 
chance  of  life,  even  with  the  lion  thou  hast  caught,  or  that 
one  fight  for  her  who  feels  inclined!" 

The  king  extended  his  scepter,  and  plaudits  filled  the 
air.  Ah!  now  there  will  be  fine  sport,  for  there  was 


202  ASA  PH. 

enough  natural  cruelty  in  this  bitter  hasty  nation  to 
enjoy  the  contest  even  to  the  shedding  of  blood. 

Again  the  herald  blew  the  trumpet,  then  opening  a  door 
close  to  the  lion's  cage  he  led  forth  a  most  lovely  maiden 
dressed  in  flowing  white  robes,  with  her  black  hair  falling 
nearly  to  her  feet,  and,  clinging  to  her  like  her  shadow, 
the  Ethiopian  slave — it  was  the  Princess  Elia  and  the 
faithful  Cleo. 

Asapli  started  back  in  terror.  It  was  the  Princess  Elia. 
All  the  blood  left  his  face  and  he  shook  like  one  with  ague. 

Again  the  herald  sounded  the  trumpet  and  cried: 

"  Oh,  king!  live  forever,  and  oh,  all  ye  people!  will  one 
from  among  your  number,  moved  by  the  compassion  of 
the  gods,  encounter  the  noble  beast  to  save  this  fair  cap 
tive  maiden?" 

Quick  as  a  flash,  Asaph  stripped  from  his  shoulders  his 
garments  of  state,  ran  to  the  separating  wall,  and  vaulted 
over  it  like  a  trained  athlete. 

Standing  in  the  center  of  the  arena,  with  his  bow  and 
arrows  in  his  hands — which  he  had  concealed — he  cried: 

"  I,  Asaph,  the  Israelite,  will  fight  for  the  captive 
maiden!" 

Nebuchadnezzar  turned  ashy  pale.  Should  the  boy  he 
so  loved  be  torn  to  pieces  for  a  worthless  slave?  He  was 
about  to  cry  out  in  his  agony  to  let  the  slave  go  free  and 
save  the  youth,  when  suddenly  the  princess  and  the  herald 
having  retired  to  their  places,  the  attendant  on  the  top  of 
the  cage  raised  the  barred  gate,  and  the  lion  came  forth. 

For  a  moment  Asaph  gazed  into  his  eyes;  the  vast  as 
semblage  held  their  breath  from  fear;  then,  uttering  a  low 


ASAPH.  203 

cry,  ho  turned  suddenly  and  ran.  For  a  moment  the  lion 
stood  still,  but  Asaph  repeated  the  cry  still  louder,  and 
with  a  roar  the  lion  followed  fast  upon  his  tr'ack. 

The  people  all  loved  the  beautiful  youth,  and  their 
spirits  fell  as  they  saw  him  thus  turn  and  run,  without  one 
effort  to  save  his  life. 

On  and  on  he  ran  around  the  arena,  then  around  again; 
no  racer  in  the  games  had  made  such  time.  Still  on  and 
on,  the  lion  gaining  slowly  but  surely;  ever  and  anon  the 
low  cry  of  an  animal  in  distress  came  from  Asaph's  lips; 
the  people  were  so  excited  they  could  scarcely  keep  their 
seats. 

Still  on  and  on — would  he  never  tire?  Nearer  and 
nearer  came  the  lion;  yet  faster  and  faster  flew  the  boy, 
till  his  feet  seemed  scarcely  to  touch  the  earth.  With  ter 
rific  roars  the  lion  made  greater  efforts,  swaying  his  great, 
shaggy  head  from  side  to  side.  Ah!  a  few  more  steps,  and 
there  would  be  a  bloody  corpse  upon  the  sand! 

Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  beast,  till  Asaph  could  feel 
his  panting  breath  upon  his  limbs.  Suddenly  he  caught  a 
portion  of  Asaph's  garment  and  tore  it  with  his  cruel 
fangs.  A  great  sob  went  up  from  the  people.  Nebu 
chadnezzar  turned  the  hue  of  a  corpse,  and  the  princess 
from  her  door,  where  she  could  see  it  all,  gave  a  loud 
shriek  of  despair  that,  rang  through  the  vast  amphithe 
ater. 

But  Asaph  sprung  lightly  aside  and  countermarched 
upon  the  lion,  who  continued  his  way,  roaring  and  shak 
ing  his  inane. 

His  impetus  had  been  so  great  that  he  had  finished  the 


204  ASAPH. 

circuit  of  the  arena  before  he  seemed  to  realize  that  his 
prey  had  escaped  him. 

Asaph,  slowing  his  paces  to  a  walk,  awaited  the  ap 
proach  of  the  infuriated  beast,  who,  catching  sight  of  him, 
again  advanced  with  renewed  roars  of  anger.  Asaph 
affixed  an  arrow  to  his  bow,  and  calmly  drew  the  string, 
then  another,  and  another,  and  the  king  of  beasts  lay  dead 
by  the  princess's  door,  transfixed  by  three  arrows  through 
his  heart. 

Asaph  opened  the  door,  and  taking  Elia  by  the  hand, 
he  cried: 

"  Oh,  king,  live  forever!  Grant  me  of  thy  mercy  this 
maiden's  life!" 

Nebuchadnezzar,  as  with  a  sob  of  joy,  extended  his 
scepter,  and  the  vast  assemblage  shouted  till  the  walls  of 
Babylon  gave  back  the  sound  again  and  again  like  rolling 
thunder. 


ASAPH.  205 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

ASAPH    WEDS   THE   PRINCESS. 

AT  the  palace  there  was  a  great  feast,  and  all  was  hap 
piness.  The  king's  strong  nature  gave  every  evidence  of 
his  joy  at  the  safety  of  his  loved  Asaph.  From  his  pecul 
iar  golden  hair  and  radiantly  fair  skin  all  the  princes  and 
officers  and  eunuchs  of  the  court  looked  at  him  as  outside 
the  pale  of  their  petty  jealousy,  as  a  being  really  descend 
ed  from  the  gods,  so  they  revered  him  as  well  as  loved 
him,  and  all  rejoiced  that  he  had  escaped  the  fangs  of  the 
fierce  lion. 

Amyitis  was  almost  as  glad  as  the  king  himself. 

"  How  brave  thou  wert,  my  pretty  boy;  when  the  lion 
tore  thy  garment  my  heart  gave  a  great  bound,  for  I  did 
not  think  thou  wert  such  a  master  of  the  art  as  to  be  able 
to  deceive  the  king  of  beasts  himself." 

And  so  they  all  praised  him;  and  his  mother  looked 
glad  and  happy. 

To-night  Asaph  was  unusually  joyous.  He  had  found 
his  princess,  and  had  saved  her  life.  When  Nebuchad 
nezzar  was  leaning  on  his  loved  cup-bearer's  arm  and 
speaking  to  him  gently,  his  heart  being  glad  with  wine, 
Asaph  told  him  of  his  love  for  the  princess,  and  asked  his 
permission  to  espouse  her. 

The  king  was  silent  for  awhile,  then  said : 


206  AS  A  PH. 

"  So  that  is  the  reason  thou  hast  often  looked  sad? 
Will  she  take  thy  heart  away  from  thy  king?" 

"  Kay,  oh,  king.  I  worship  thee  forever,  as  the  sun 
thut  brightens  all  my  life.  Thou  wilt  have  two  to  love 
and  serve  thee  now  in  place  of  one." 

After  a  pause  Nebuchadnezzar  said: 

"  Wouldst  thou  forego  the  custom  of  thy  people  and  ask 
not  the  year  of  rest  from  attendance  on  the  lord  thy 
king?" 

"  Most  willingly,  oh,  king!  A  year  without  the  light  of 
thy  countenance  would  be  a  year  of  darkness  to  thy  serv 
ant." 

The  king  smiled. 

"  Be  it  as  thou  wishest,  and  according  to  thine  own  cus 
toms;  but  I  will  have  the  ceremonies  with  such  grandeur 
as  befits  a  favorite  of  the  king  and  a  princess  of  royal 
blood." 

Then  the  music  burst  forth,  and  the  singers  and  dancers 
appeare:!,  and  so  amusements  followed  close  upon  each 
other  till  all  were  summoned  to  the  magnificent  banquet 
ing  chambers,  and  there  they  remained  till  the  stars  grew 
dim. 

Asaph  could  neither  interpret  dreams  nor  foretell  events 
by  the  configuration  of  the  stars,  but  he  could  answer  the 
king  in  his  own  language  in  chosen  befitting  words,  and 
could  make  his  heart  glad  with  a  seraphic  smile  or  sad 
with  a  look  of  sorrow. 

He  never  disputed  with  the  wise  Chaldeans;  and  even 
the  dignified  Daniel  looked  upon  him  as  scarce  more  than 


ASAPH.  207 

a  pretty  boy,  but  deep  in  Asaph's  heart  was  a  yearning  to 
enlighten  his  captive  brethren,  to  instill  into  their  minds  a 
greater  reverence  for  the  true  God,  a  clearer  idea  of  His 
mercy  and  goodness,  to  arouse  them  from  the  apathy  into 
which  they  had  often  fallen  by  the  almost  impossibility  of 
being  perfect  in  practice  in  the  stern  school  of  the  Mosaic 
dispensation  of  the  law.  But  his  attendance  was  so  con 
stant  that  he  could  not  fulfill  his  heart's  desire;  but  many 
times  late  into  the  night  he  would  lay  prostrate  on  the 
floor  of  his  chamber  and  pray  for  light  to  the  great  Je 
hovah. 

Asaph  often  passed  the  royal  prison,  where  the  gentle 
Jehoiakim  and  Zedekiah  resided,  and  where  a  certain 
amount  of  liberty  was  allowed  them — for  the  king  did  not 
forget  they  were  of  the  royal  blood.  One  day,  as  they 
were  walking  in  the  small  garden,  the  poor  blind  Zedekiah, 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  the  young  king,  Asaph  paused  at  the 
iron-barred  gate.  The  sentinnel  advanced. 

"  1  would  speak  a  moment  to  the  captives,"  Asaph 
said;  and  as  the  man  recognized  the  king's  cup-bearer,  he 
withdrew  a  pace.  "  King  Jehoiakim,"  called  Asaph, 
softly. 

"  Who  calls?"  asked  Zedekiah,  with  the  quicker  ear  of 
the  blind. 

"  Asaph,  who  brought  thee  food  in  Jerusalem." 

Jehoiakim  turned  quickly. 

"  Oh,  king,  thy  sister  is  alive  and  well.  We  are  to 
wed.  The  great  Nebuchadnezzar  has  sanctioned  it;  dost 
thou  consent?" 

"  What,  the  Moloch  boy?"  he  replied,  in  astonishment. 


208  ASA  PH. 

"  No,  the  king's  cup-bearer.  I  saved  her  life  from  the 
cruel  lion.  We  love  each  other;  and  thy  consent  will 
make  us  still  more  happy,  and  thine  too,  oh,  Zedekiah." 

"  What  matters  the  consent  of  two  poor  prisoners,  one 
with  blinded  eyes  who  can  never  look  upon  thy  face  again, 
yet  I  remember  it  was  a  kindly  face.  And  thou  art  rich 
and  honored  now,  while  I  am  but  a  captive  slave."  And 
Jehoiukim  bowed  his  head. 

"  Thy  consent,  oh,  kings!  We  will  remember  thee  in  all 
our  prayers  to  the  God  of  Israel,"  said  Asaph,  softly. 

"  Thou  hast  it,  boy,"  they  replied,  "  and  may  Jehovah 
smile  upon  you  both." 

"  Peace  be  upon  you  now  and  forever,''  Asaph  replied 
softly,  then  moved  away. 

The  marriage  of  Asaph  and  the  Princess  Elia  was  cele 
brated  with  the  utmost  magnificence,  and  the  festivities 
were  kept  up  for  many  days,  and  Asaph  was  in  the  full 
ness  of  his  happiness.  Helah  nightly  gave  thanks  to  Je 
hovah  for  the  one  loved  son  that  He  had  given  her. 


ASAPH.  209 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

NEBUCHADNEZZAB'S  MADNESS. 

YEARS  passed  away.  Asaph  still  waited  on  the  king; 
sons  and  daughters  were  born  to  him,  and  he  was  honored 
and  respected. 

The  captive  Israelites  in  and  around  Babylon  were  slow 
ly  but  surely  turning  again  to  the  true  God.  Asaph  be 
lieving  that  old  customs  and  traditions  were  passing  away, 
arid  that  this  very  captivity  was  to  work  out  Jehovah's 
plan  of  turning  the  whole  world  to  His  knowledge  and 
worship,  taught  the  Jews  secretly  in  the  underground  hid 
den  places,  many  of  which  were  built  for  cool  retreats  dur 
ing  the  torrid  heat  of  summer. 

A  number  of  Israelites  of  advanced  opinions  were  accus 
tomed  to  come  each  night  and  listen  to  him  and  treasure 
each  word  that  fell  from  his  lips  as  though  from  a 
prophet's. 

One  night  an  ancient  asked  him: 

"  Master,  why  in  our  father's  time  was  the  least  igno 
rant  infringement  of  the  law  so  severely  punished?" 

"  The  law  is  unchangeable  and  inexorable  now  and  for 
ever,  since  the  beginning,  knowing  neither  mercy,  pity, 
nor  compassion;  certain  consequences  followed,  and  still 
their  breaking,  and  no  one  can  escape  their  effects  save  by 
Divine  interposition.  If  a  man  falls  from  a  great  height 
the  la\v  of  force  causes  him  injuries  of  which  he  may  die. 


210  ASAPH. 

Should  a  heavy  substance  strike  him  in  a  vifal  part,  even 
in  his  eagerness  and  joy  to  serve  Jehovah,  he  may  die — as 
witness  Uzzah  trying  to  steady  the  ark,  which,  according 
to  the  light  I  have  so  prayed  to  receive,  was  not  punished 
for  good  intentions;  but  the  law  of  force  was  violated  by 
his  coming  too  near  in  his  eagerness,  and,  being  struck  by 
the  heavy  cart,  died.  Our  early  history  is  so  wrapped 
in  mystery  and  myths  that  it  is  difficult  to  know  the  true 
from  the  false,  yet  I  think  we  may  be  safe  in  believing  that 
God  would  not  make  a  law  and  give  it  to  His  people  with 
all  solemnity,  and  almost  immediately  ask  them  to 
break  it." 

"  Oh,  rabbi,  master,  why  did  the  great  Jehovah  punish 
our  fathers  so  terribly  for  desiring  other  food  than  manna, 
of  which  their  human  appetite  had  sickened?" 

"  According  to  my  light,  they  eat  to  such  excess — even 
birds  raw,  and  with  the  blood — that  sickness  ensued  for 
thus  violating  the  laws  of  health." 

''  Why,  oh,  master,  were  they  punished  so  terribly  for 
their  commerce  with  strange  women?" 

"  It  was  the  consequence  of  the  violated  law  of  chastity 
that  caused  their  sickness  and  death." 

At  another  time  they  asked  him:  "  Why,  oh,  master, 
did  Jehovah  require  so  many  olTerings  and  sacriiices  of 
animals  and  incense  upon  His  altars?" 

"  Our  kind,  compassionate  God  hath  Himself  said  that 
in  the  wilderness  He  required  neither  sacrifices  nor  olTer- 
ings;  but  when  our  fathers  came  into  the  Promised  Land 
they  who  had  never  witnessed  the  idol  worship  of  fair 


ASAPH.  211 

Egypt  sa\v  idolatry  on  every  side  where  gifts  of  every  de 
scription  were  offered  to  the  gods  for  protection,  interces 
sion,  or  vengeance  on  their  foes.  To  give  gifts  to  those 
we  love  or  revere,  or  whose  good  offices  we  wish  to  pro 
pitiate,  is  inherent  in  human  nature.  Our  Father,  to 
whom  all  hearts  are  as  open  books,  to  lead  them  gently 
back  from  this  idolatry  to  which  they  were  rapidly  turn 
ing,  encouraged  them  to  transfer  their  worship  from  the 
false  to  the  true  God  without  a  violent  change  in  form; 
then  many  of  the  sacrifices  were  for  His  priests  and  their 
families'  support.  The  killing  of  cattle  in  sight  of  or  by 
the  priest  was  that  it  should  be  mercifully  accomplished 
without  unnecessary  cruelty  t&  the  beasts,  of  whom  God 
Himself  is  tender,  '  tempering  the  wind  to  the  shorn 
lamb,'  and  noticing  a  sparrow  that  falls  to  the  ground. 
Also  that  it  should  be  performed  in  such  a  manner  as  was 
for  the  best  health  of  those  who  eat." 

"  But  why  the  incense,  good  master?" 

"  Besides  being  pleasant  to  both  God  and  man,  it  was 
healthy,  and  helped  to  kill  the  germs  of  sickness  engen 
dered  by  the  shedding  of  so  much  blood  in  one  locality,  and 
to  correct  the  disagreeable  odor  of  the  burning  flesh." 

"  Should  we  still  offer  these  things  to  our  God,  oh,  mas 
ter?" 

"  According  to  the  light  of  faith,  our  compassionate 
One  hath  given  u-s  a  silent  guide — the  still,  small  voice  of 
conscience.  Follow  it,  and  we  shall  never  err;  for  it  ever 
breathes  forth  God's  laws  of  love  and  kindness  to  our 
neighbors — nay,  even  to  our  enemy." 

Again,  on  another  night,  they  ashed  him: 


212  ASAPF. 

"  Oh,  rabbi,  master,  vvouldst  thou  have  us  put  aside  all 
our  ceremonies  and  festivals?" 

"  Nay,  not  so;  many  are  held  in  grateful  remembrance 
of  Jehovah's  mercies  to  His  chosen  people.  Keep  them 
by  way  of  thanks  and  rejoicing.  Do  we  not  keep  our  do 
mestic  feasts  when  a  child  is  born,  and  many  other  days  in 
the  progress  of  its  life?  We  do  these  for  love  and  gladness 
to  the  creature,  how  much  more  should  we  do  for  the  Cre 
ator?" 

*  *  *  #  #  *  * 

And  so  the  years  passed  away.  Asaph's  children  were 
growing  up,  lovely  in  face  and  gentle  in  disposition.  It 
was  a  pleasant  sight  to  see  the  five  little  maidens  with  fair, 
long  hair  like  their  father,  and  the  seven  sturdy  boys  with 
the  handsome  Jewish  features  of  their  mother,  and  Ilelah 
lived  her  youth  over  again  with  such  blessed  young  com 
panions. 

But  now  came  sadness  to  Asaph's  gentle  heart.  The 
king,  great  Nebuchadnezzar,  whom  he  had  so  learned  to 
love,  was  warned  by  a  dream,  which  was  interpreted  by 
the  wise  Daniel,  of  his  strange  approaching  madness;  then 
Daniel  fearlessly  exhorted  him  to  break  off  his  sins  and 
show  mercy  to  the  poor. 

For  a  whole  year  Asaph  feared  each  moment  the  fulfill 
ment  of  the  dream,  for  Daniel  had  never  erred  in  such  in 
terpretations. 

At  hist  one  day,  as  Nebuchadnezzar  was  walking  in  his 
palace,  leaning  on  Asaph's  arm,  he  looked  from  this  high 
ground  over  his  beautiful  city — the  city  that  had  so  aston 
ished  the  Israelites  by  its  magnificence  that  they  had 


ASAPH.  213 

almost  ceased  to  grieve  for  their  own  land.  There,  on  the 
one  hand,  was  the  gorgeous  Temple  of  Bel-Merodach  and 
the  smaller  palace;  there  the  Euphrates  flashing  in  the 
sun;  nearer,  the  beautiful  hanging  gardens  he  had  built 
for  his  loved  Amyitis  towered  in  the  air;  there  the  great 
pools  and  canals  he  had  built;  yonder,  in  the  distance,  the 
vast  fields  and  forests  inclosed  within  the  city's  mighty 
walls;  each  house  and  palace  had  its  beautiful  garden,  and 
the  picture  might  well  excite  his  pride — he  who  had  done 
so  much  for  Babylon  in  the  art  of  beautiful  and  stupend 
ous  building,  painting,  sculpture,  and  the  sister  arts  and 
sciences.  So  he  exclaimed,  with  perhaps  too  much  pride 
for  one  whom  God  had  so  helped  to  prosper,  and  taking 
too  much  credit  to  himself  for  that  which,  without  Divine 
aid,  he  could  never  have  accomplished: 

"  Is  not  this  great  Babylon  that  I  have  built  for  the 
house  of  the  kingdom  by  the  might  of  my  power,  and  for 
the  honor  of  my  majesty?"* 

Then  the  voice  of  his  doom  broke  from  the  clouds,  and 
the  king  went  mad. 

Away  off  those  beautiful  fields,  where  he  had  gazed  with 
delight  a  few  moments  before,  he  was  driven  on  his  hands 
and  feet  like  a  beast  of  the  wilderness,  and  Asaph  tended 
him  day  and  night. 

He  would  eat  no  food  but  grass  and  edible  roots  that 
grew  in  the  fields,  and  his  robes  were  torn  to  shreds,  and 
his  hair  grew  long  also  upon  his  poor  body,  and  his  nails 
became  claws.  But  Asaph  kept  him  out  of  the  sight  of 
men,  and  wept  and  prayed  continually. 

*  Daniel,  iv  Chapter,  30  verse. 


214  ASAPH. 

The  beauty  of  his  majesty  was  changed;  he  knew  not 
those  he  loved,  and  Asaph's  task  made  lines  of  sorrow  on 
his  glorious  beauty. 

Thus  seven  years  passed  away,  when  one  morning,  as 
Asa  ph.  was  on  his  knees  praying,  he  noticed  the  king 
standing  upright  and  wavching  him.  Suddenly  Nebuchad 
nezzar  fell  down  beside  him  and  cried: 

"  1  bless  the  Most  Hi^h,  and  1  praise  and  honor  Him 
that  liveth  forever,  whose  dominion  is  an  everlasting  do 
minion,  and  His  kingdom  is  from  generation  to  genera 
tion.  And  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  reputed  as 
nothing,  and  He  doeth  according  to  His  will  in  the  army  of 
Heaven  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  and  none 
can  stay  His  hand  or  say  unto  Him,  What  dost  thou?"* 

Asaph  fell  on  his  face,  and  gave  thanks  to  God  for  the 
king's  return  to  reason.  He  dressed  him  in  his  kingly  gar 
ments,  and  arranged  his  hair  and  made  him  like  himself 
again. 

The  Babylonians  received  their  recovered  king  with  de 
light,  and  his  reign  was  brighter  and  happier  than  ever, 
for  now  he  believed  in  the  one  true  God,  and  tried  to  turn 
his  people  to  the  same  faith,  and  glory  and  honors  accu 
mulated  unto  him. 

Not  long  after  he  fell  asleep,  full  of  yearsf  and  great 
works,  such  a  king  as  the  world  had  never  seen  before, 
and  such  a  one  as  it  will  not  see  in  time  to  come. 

Nebuchadnezzar  was  buried  with  great  magnificence, 
and  odors  and  spices  were  burned  for  him,  and  all  Baby 
lon  mourned  for  many  days. 

*  Dauicl,  vi  Chapter,  31  verso.  f  About  c-ighty, 


ASAPH.  215 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

HAGGITH    WARNS   ASAPH   OF  THE   CONSPIRACY. 

AFTER  the  magnificent  ceremonies  of  mourning  for  the 
king,  great  Nebuchadnezzar,  and  the  scarcely  less  impos 
ing  splendors  of  the  coronation  of  his  son  Enil-Merodach, 
had  passed,  Babylon  resumed  its  usual  appearance. 

Asaph  had  been  the  loved  darling  of  the  great  king,  his 
plaything,  his  beautiful  boy;  but  he  was  loved  by  his  son 
as  a  companion,  and  from  his  earliest  residence  at  the  pal 
ace  he  had  spent  a  few  moments  each  day  with  the  gentle 
Enil-Merodach.  Together  they  had  visited  the  young  im 
prisoned  kings,  and  when  poor,  blind  Zedekiah  had  sick 
ened  and  died,  and  Nebuchadnezzar  had  given  him  a 
grand  funeral,  as  became  a  king,  the  two  young  friends 
had  wept  bitterly,  and  then  taken  the  young  Jeconiah  into 
their  hearts,  and  all  these  years  they  had  been  fast  but 
secret  friends. 

Now,  when  Enil-Merodach  came  to  the  great  dignity  of 
reigning  over  mighty  Babylon,  his  first  thought  was  of  his 
friends.  He  advanced  Asaph  to  the  highest  honors,  and 
liberated  Jeconiah  from  prison,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to 
make  him  forget  his  unhappy  past  and  the  injustice  done 
him;  so  he  set  his  throne  above  all  the  other  captive  kings, 
and  showed  him  much  honor. 

Many  of  the  Babylonians  had  turned  to  God  after  the 
miraculous  conversion  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  so  these  gentle 


216  ASAPH. 

friends  passed  many  hours  together,  conversing  about  the 
wonderful,  the  merciful  Jehovah,  and  how  to  continue  His 
work.  Elia  would  steal  in  and  with  one  hand  in  her 
brother's  clasp,  and  the  other  in  her  husband's,  she  was  a 
happy  woman,  and  her  radiant  face  inspired  them  to  noble 
deeds  and  thrice-noble  thoughts. 

But  this  happiness  was  not  destined  to  be  of  long  dura 
tion,  for  many  of  the  Babylonians  were  jealous  and  envi 
ous  of  the  favorites,  and  stirred  up  the  people  against 
them. 

The  king  was  accused  of  many  things  foreign  to  his 
gentle  nature,  and  a  conspiracy  was  formed  against  his 
life. 

One  night,  when  Asaph  was  teaching  the  Jews  and  the 
secret  converts  among  the  Babylonians  in  one  of  the  hid 
den  underground  places — for  the  greater  part  of  the  peo 
ple  despised  the  religion  and  practices  of  the  Hebrews,  so 
they  had  to  bo  extremely  cautious  lest  a  disaffected  person 
should  gain  an  entrance  and  betray  them — a  peculiar 
knock  was  heard. 

It  was  midnight;  the  lesson  was  ended,  and  all  were 
prostrate  on  the  floor  in  prayer.  In  a  moment  they  were 
on  their  feet  with  drawn  swords  in  their  hands. 

"  'Tis  not  the  perfect  knock,  oh,  master!"  said  a  dark- 
skinned  Chaldean. 

The  knock  was  repeated.     After  a  pause,  Asaph  said: 

"  AVho  is  it  that  wishes  entrance  here?" 

u  I  would  speak  with  Asaph,  the  Israelite,  oh,  mas 
ter!"  replied  a  woman's  voice. 


ASAPH.  217 

In  a  moment  the  swords  were  sheathed  aud  the  door  un 
barred.  A  veiled  figure  entered. 

"  1  would  speak  with  thee  alone,"  she  said,  her  exposed 
eyes  glancing  in  fear  at  the  others. 

At  a  motion  from  Asaph  they  stole  silently  away,  and 
they  two  were  alone. 

Throwing  her  veil  from  her  face,  she  said: 

"  Dost  thou  not  know  me,  master?" 

x\saph  looked  at  her  searchingly,  then  slowly  shook  his 
head. 

"  Ay!  I'm  not  the  comely  damsel  I  was  when  I  sold 
flowers  in  the  market-place/'  she  said,  with  a  short,  bitter 
laugh. 

"  Ilaggith!" 

"  Ay,  thou  mayst  well  look  in  pity  on  my  poor  scarred 
face!  I've  had  a  hard  master,  and  for  years  have  been  a 
prisoner.  But  'tis  not  of  that  I  would  speak.  Thou  art 
the  friend  of  the  king.  His  life  is  in  danger!" 

"  Ah!     How  knowest  thou  that?" 

"  My  master  had  company  at  his  house  to-night. 
While  serving  wine,  1  heard  thy  name  mentioned,  and 
when  he  saw  me  listening  he  drove  me  from  the  room  with 
blows;  but  I  hid  and  heard  all  their  wicked  plans.  They 
are  going  to  kill  the  king,  aud  thy  life,  too,  is  in  danger. 
They  spoke  the  day  and  the  hour,  but  I  could  not  under 
stand  all  the  words  in  their  cursed  heathen  tongue.  But 
hasten,  for  it  may  even  now  be  too  late!" 

"  How  didst  thou  find  me?" 

"  Dost  forget?  I  loved  thee  once;  'tis  no  sin  to  tell 
thee  now,  with  this  marred  face  and  whitening  hair.  He 


218  ASAPH. 

did  it  when  I  was  young,  in  jealous  rage.  Ah!  but  he  is 
a  brutal  master!  I  escaped  him,  though,  to  save  thy  life; 
but—" 

She  tottered  and  would  have  fallen  but  he  caught  her 
and  thus  discovered  her  arm  was  broken. 

"  'Tis  nothing.  I  did  not  know  the  window  was  so 
high. " 

"  Come,  Haggith,  to  where  1  live,  and  thou  shalt  have 
my  good  wife's  teuderest  care/' 

"What!  The  Princess  Elia!  Nay,  nay!  I  will  go 
back  to  my  brute;  1  am  used  to  him,  and — and —  But  has" 
ten  thou!" 

"  Come,  poor  Haggith!" 

"  Nay,  1  will  not.     Save  thy  friend.     Farewell!" 

And  she  was  gone  out  into  the  midnight  darkness.  • 

Asaph  hurried  to  the  palace.  He  had  not  forgotten  the 
(rick  of  his  boyhood,  and  ran  like  a  deer. 

It  was  past  midnight,  and  the  palace  was  in  utter  dark 
ness,  save  the  windows  of  the  king's  chamber. 

Asaph  hurried  to  a  secret  door,  known  only  to  himself 
and  a  few  trusted  friends  of  the  king.  As  he  traversed 
the  long,  dark  passages  that  led  to  it  he  heard  subdued 
sounds  of  strife,  which  increased  as  he  came  nearer. 

"  Help,  help!  in  Jehovah's  name!" 

It  was  the  voice  of  the  king,  but  no  one  answered,  no 
help  carne. 

"  Where  are  the  guards?"  Asaph  muttered.  "  Oh, 
God!  oh,  Father,  help!  Are  they  all  turned  traitors?" 

Now  he  was  at  the  door,  but  it  resisted  all  his  efforts  to 
open  it.  The  cries  of  distress  were  more  pitiful.  What 


ASA  PH.  219 

should  he  do?  In  the  dark  it  was  difficult  to  find  the 
secret  spring,  but  love  quickened  all  his  senses,  and  when 
the  despairing  cry  of  "  Asaph,  my  friend,  save  me!"  came 
to  his  ears,  he  struck  his  body  with  all  his  force  against 
the  door;  it  yielded,  and  in  a  moment  he  had  entered  and 
thrown  himself  in  front  of  the  king,  who  was  defending 
himself  against  several  assailants,  conspirators  against  his 
life  and  throne,  the  chief  of  whom  Asaph  instantly  recog 
nized. 

"  Ah,  Neriglissar,  thou  traitor!  Wouklst  kill  thy  lord 
and  brother?" 

With  that  he  seized  a  triangular  stool,  the  legs  of  which 
were  heavily  incased  with  gold,  and  struck  at  him.  Ho 
sprung  quickly  aside,  but  did  not  altogether  escape  the 
blow,  which  fell  on  his  left  hand,  making  him  wild  with 
pain. 

"  Ha!  the  curse  of  Nebo  light  on  thee,  thou  impious 
Israelite!"  he  cried,  striking  wi'dly  with  his  sword,  which, 
being  short,  failed  to  do  Asaph  any  injury. 

"  How  darest  thou,  slave,  to  raise  thy  hand  against  our 
leader?"  cried  Nabonardius,  aiming  a  fierce  blow  at 
Asaph 's  still  glorious,  golden-wreathed  head;  but  he  was 
as,  agile  as  in  the  days  of  his  youth,  so,  dropping  the  stool, 
he  grasped  his  assailant  before  he  recovered  from  the  im 
petus  of  his  unavailing  blow,  and  threw  him  to  the  floor. 
Then  the  other  assailants  rushed  to  the  rescue  and  Asaph 
and  Enil-Merodach  had  to  use  all  their  force  to  defend 
themselves.  But  they  were  so  valiant  and  held  their  lives 
so  dear  that  for  awhile  the  contest  seemed  doubtful. 

Asaph    had    never   weakened    himself    with    wine   and 


220  ASAPH. 

women,  and  had  never  ceased  since  his  boyhood  to  exer 
cise  each  day,  so  that  he  was  a  match  for  more  than  one 
of  these  Babylonians  whose  constant  drunken  revels  had 
weakened  and  enervated  them. 

Again  and  again  he  threw  one  of  the  conspirators,  then 
seizing  the  stool,  he  struck  right  and  left  and  called: 

"Escape,  oh,  king!  thy  enemies  are  well-nigh  van 
quished!" 

But  before  Enil-Merodach  could  reach  the  secret  door, 
several  of  the  conspirators  had  revived  from  the  confusion 
of  their  blows  and  rushed  after  the  fleeing  king.  Asaph 
threw  himself  before  him,  but  quick  as  a  flash  Neriglissar 
thrust  his  short,  thick  sword  between  Asaph 's  arm  and 
body,  cutting  his  flesh  and  pinning  the  king  to  the  wall. 

"  Escape — I  die!"  cried  the  king,  falling  forward,  dead- 
Asaph  paused  a  moment  in  horror  at  the  sight,  then  cried: 

"  The  vengeance  of  Jehovah  light  on  thee  forever,  thou 
impious  murderer!"  and  disappeared  through  the  secret 
door,  which  closed  fast  behind  him. 


ASAPH.  221 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

A   NEW   MYSTEKY. 

FEOM  this  time  Asaph  disappeared  from  public  sight 
together  with  his  wife  and  family  and  his  choicest  house 
hold  treasures. 

Day  and  night  the  conspirators  sought  for  him,  but  in 
vain,  and  Neriglissar  now  being  king,  chafed  and  fretted 
on  his  throne. 

Asaph  had  taken  up  his  abode  in  one  of  those  under 
ground  places  that  he  knew  so  well,  and  had  had  it  en 
larged  and  beautified,  but  the  entrance  he  kept  secret  by 
blindfolding  the  workmen.  Many  a  night  he  sallied  forth, 
disguised,  and  no  man  knew  him. 

Once  in  his  early  manhood  Nebuchadnezzar  had  allowed 
him,  as  a  great  favor,  to  go  to  Egypt  for  a  short  time,  and 
there  he  had  visited  Jeremiah  and  obtained  from  him 
copies  of  his  prophecies  and  fragments  of  the  writings  of 
those  who  had  preceded  him.  Since  his  friend,  "  the 
great  king's  "  death,  having  his  time  less  peremptorily  de 
manded,  he  had  studied  these  writings  night  and  day. 

One  night,  after  many  months  of  thought  and  prayer 
over  certain  passages,  when  he  was  well-nigh  worn  out  and 
exhausted  with  his  mental  efforts  to  dispel  the  darkness 
that  hung  over  the  words  so  that  he  should  understand 
them  as  the  great  Jehovah  intended,  his  mind  became 
suddenly  illuminated,  a  glorious  refulgence  seemed  to  fill 


222  ASAPH. 

his  soul,  and  his  whole  life  became  transfigured,  and  his 
ecstasy  was  too  great  to  be  borne  alone,  so  he  hastened  to 
hie  beloved  Elia  and  initiated  her  into  this  grand  mystery. 
Then  his  heart  yearned  for  his  captive  brethren  to  receive 
the  glorious  tidings,  and  to  enjoy  with  him  the  blessings 
of  this  everlasting  hope. 

He  went  among  them  secretly,  enjoining  the  greatest 
caution,  for  this  blessed  mystery,  too  great  and  marvelous 
for  aught  but  graybeards  to  understand,  must  not  be  hid 
den  any  more  in  dark  receptacle  of  moldy  books  for  fear 
of  their  stern  masters,  warned  by  babbling  tongues.  No, 
the  Hope  was  for  them  and  those  who  would  believe  with 
them;  but  in  the  gladness  of  their  hearts  they  must  not  be 
too  free. 

It  was  the  mystery  of  mysteries  they  were  about  to 
learn — the  name  they*  had  been  taught  in  their  childhood 
as  too  sacred  and  awful  to  utter  even  to  the  winds  was  to 
become  manifest  in  the  flesh. 


ASAPH.  223 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

''THE  WEDGE  OF  GOLD.'' 

THREE  years  passed  on.  Kerig'issar  had  added  new 
beauties  to  the  great  city,  especially  in  his  grand  palace, 
one  of  the  most  superb  buildings  ever  erected.  Dying  in 
peace  with  the  surrounding  country,  he  left  his  kingdom 
to  his  son  Laborosoarchod,  a  young  boy  of  quick,  passion 
ate  temper.  As  his  father  had  obtained  his  throne  by 
treachery  and  murder,  so  his  son  lost  his  power  and  life  by 
the  same  means.  A  feeble  pretext  of  his  bad  disposjtion 
gave  his  enemies  an  opportunity  of  torturing  him  to  death 
by  beating,  and  placing  the  arch-conspirator  Nabonardius 
upon  the  throne. 

These  events  were  watched  closely  by  the  hiding,  busy 
Asaph,  who  was  eagerly  expecting  the  coming  of  the 
"  wedge  of  gold  "  who  was  to  rebuild  his  sacredly  loved 
Temple,  and  send  his  captive  nation  back  to  dear  Jerusa 
lem  laden  with  gifts  of  gold  and  many  precious  things. 

The  new  light  he  had  received  and  was  trying  with  all 
the  energy  of  conviction  to  disseminate  among  his  breth 
ren  had  convulsed  the  Jewish  people  to  the  foundation  of 
their  faith;  some  believed  and  some  were  ready  to  pour  the 
molten  fire  of  their  wrath  on  Asaph 's  devoted  head.  But 
he  did  not  flinch;  ever  gentle,  ever  consistent,  he  would 
press  his  arguments,  read  to  them  the  prophecies,  pray 
and  exhort,  still  the  believers  were  but  few. 


224:  ASAPH. 

"  What  will  this  mystery  do  for  us  here  in  Babylon?" 
some  cried.  "  Will  the  sweat  pour  less  from  our  brows 
by  the  diminishing  of  our  labor,  or  will  our  food  be  more 
plenteous  and  dainty?"  "Will  our  country  be  restored 
to  us?"  cried  others. 

"  Wait,  wait  till  the  coming  of  God's  Shepherd;  He  will 
restore  us  our  glory;  then  we  will  worship  the  great  Jeho 
vah  in  His  own  Temple;  only  wait,  dear  brothers." 

This  was  Asaph's  constant  entreaty. 

"  Wait!  wait!  That  is  still  thy  cry!  We  are  tired  of 
it;  the  grave  itself  will  receive  our  worn-out  bodies  before 
that  time. " 

"  Yes,  if  thy  new-found  mystery  could  ease  us  from 
our  present  troubles,  it  were  well  to  hearken  and  believe; 
but  to  wait  and  watch  and  sutler  for  a  myth,  no,  no." 

And  some  would  curse  him;  and  but  for  his  calm  dig 
nity  would  have  plucked  him  by  the  beard.  Still  he  did 
not  cease  from  His  Father's  work,  for  was  he  not  one  of 
the  sons  of  God? 

Years  passed  on.  Kumors  of  war  filled  the  air,  and 
with  them  came  the  name  of  Cyrus. 

"  Ah!  the  wedge  of  gold!"  cried  Asaph. 

Now  nightly  the  place  of  meeting  was  crowded  by  the 
half-believing  Israelites.  The  old  men  faintly  remembered 
years  and  years  ago  hearing  of  the  Prophet  Isaiah,  and 
when  Asaph  read  his  writings  to  them,  mentioning  the 
very  name  of  their  deliverer,  their  old  eyes  sparkled,  and 
the  younger  ones  soon  caught  their  enthusiasm,  and  so  it 
spread  and  spread,  so  that  soon  there  was  fifty  thousand 
disaffected  people  in  and  around  Babylon  who  wished  sue- 


AS A PH.  225 

cess  to  the  Persian  king.  Still  years  passed  away  before 
any  decisive  battle  was  fought.  Babylon  was  fortified  so 
strongly  that  it  seemed  impossible  to  the  waiting  Israelites 
that  their  deliverer  could  ever  enter  to  set  them  free;  but' 
their  prophet  had  foretold  this  very  name  over  two  hun 
dred  years  before,  so  they  believed  and  worshiped  God  and 

waited. 

******* 

Night  had  fallen  on  Babylon,  so  beautiful,  so  peaceful 
that  no  one  would  have  believed  that  outside  her  walls  a 
mighty  army  was  creeping  to  her  overthrow. 

The  palace  windows  sparkled  with  light,  and  inside  all 
was  joy  and  revelry.  But  the  young  king — associate  with 
his  father  on  the  throne — was  impious  in  his  vanity  of 
power,  for  his  father  was  absent  defending  some  other 
portion  of  his  kingdom;  so  ordering  the  holy  vessels  of  the 
Temple  service  to  be  brought,  he  laughed  and  drank  wine 
out  of  their  sacred  depths  and  gave  them  to  his  favorites 
and  concubines,  and  the  jests  and  mirth  ran  high,  and 
they  derided  the  God  of  Israel,  and  laughed  Him  to  scorn 
— for  this  was  a  great  religious  festival — and  thus  the  king 
sought  to  please  his  gods. 

Suddenly  the  terrible  fingers  wrote  upon  the  wall 
"  Mene,  mene,  tekel,  upharsin!"  The  light  from  the 
candles  shone  upon  the  words  brighter  and  brighter  until 
they  seemed  to  be  written  in  letters  of  fire. 

The  king  was  frightened.  What  could  this  mean?  His 
great  Xebo,  or  Morodach,  or  Bel,  had  never  thus  pro 
claimed  their  wishes,  or  given  forth  their  prophecies.  He 
immediately  consulted  his  magicians,  soothsayers,  and  wise 

8 


men.  His  priests  too  were  celebrating  this  great  festival 
in  different  parts  of  the  city,  but  most  of  thorn  were  wild 
with  religious  frenzy,  or  sunk  in  drunken  folly  with  the 
people,  so  he  obtained  no  answer  to  his  anxious  inquiries. 

At  last  the  old  queen  mother  ^Nitoeris  bade  Belsha/xar 
summon  the  wise  Daniel.  He  came,  and  courteously  de 
clining  all  gifts,  revealed  to  the  terrified  king  that  his 
power  had  departed,  and  his  kingdom  was  at  an  end — for 
Daniel  knew  by  his  prophets  that  Cyrus  was  to  be  their 
deliverer,  and  this  the  year  of  the  long  looked-for  event. 
******* 

High  upon  an  embankment  stood  a  majestic  figure, 
with  flowing  hair  and  beard,  watching  the  silent  city. 
The  noise  of  revelry  had  gradually  ceased  as  the  votaries 
had  sunk  in  drunken  stupor  or  were  busy  clearing  a\vay 
the  immense  amount  of  food  offerings  the  infatuated  peo 
ple  had  placed  before  their  gods,  and  storing  them  in 
safety  for  their  own  use. 

The  heart  of  the  silent  watcher  ached  at  this  universal 
idolatry,  this  impiousness  to  his  Divine  Father — for  the 
heart  of  Asaph  was  as  tender  as  of  old.  Suddenly  his 
gaxe  became  attracted  to  the  great  river.  What  was  the 
matter?  The  waters  were  diminishing,  not  slowly,  as  by 
nature,  but  as  if  its  bottom  were  a  sieve.  Thould  he  in 
form  the  officers  of  the  guard;*  ^ot  a  single  sentry  was 
on  duty.  Was  it  the  earthquake  coming  to  destroy  them 
all  before  Cyrus  came  and  set  them  free? 

His  gaze  was  fascinated.  Lower  and  lower  sunk  the 
river,  and  the  sounds  of  revelry  ceased  one  by  one  till  the 


ASA  PH.  227* 

silence  became  oppressive.  Lower  still  the  waters  fell,  till 
here  and  there  the  rocks  and  rubbish  of  the  bottom  shone 
clearly  in  the  moonlight,  and  then,  as  he  watched,  he  saw 
moving  specters  arise  as  it  were  from  the  river  bed,  and 
gathering  at  the  landing-places,  opened  the  river-gates, 
and  formed  into  column  after  column  of  stalwart,  well- 
armed  men! 

"  Ah,  it  is  the  '  wedge  of  gold!'  he  cried.  "  Praised  be 
.Jehovah's  name!"  and  he  hastened  to  meet  the  Persian 
monarch.  Prostrating  himself  thrice  before  him  he  cried, 
"  Blessed  be  thou,  thou  shepherd  of  the  liviug  God!  I  am 
thy  servant;  and  thousands  of  my  people  will  bless  thy 
coming!" 

Cyrus  accepted  this  as  a  good  omen,  and  graciously 
raised  Asaph,  assuring  him  that  not  one  hair  of  his  people 
should  be  injured — he  was  their  friend,  appointed  by  God 
as  their  deliverer. 

But  now  some  of  the  guards  were  aroused,  and  ran  with 
the  terrible  news  to  the  palace. 

Belshazzar  was  terror-stricken,  and  repented  too  late  his 
wicked  blasphemy  of  Israel's  God. 

Asaph  sped  to  the  Jewish  quarters  and  aroused  them, 
and  they  notified  others,  till  soon  an  immense  inside  army 
joined  their  deliverer. 

The  king  in  his  palace  shook  with  fear.  "  Mono,  niene, 
takel,  upharsin,"  rang  in  his  ears;  the  writing  on  the  wall 
seared  his  eyes;  his  trembling  limbs  could  scarcely  support 
him;  the  mysterious  hand  seemed  to  grasp  his  heart;  the 
door  burst  open  and  the  Persian  soldiers  pierced  him  with 
many  sword-thrusts  through  the  heart,  even  where  he 


228  ASA  PH. 

stood  with  the  vessels  of  the  Temple  service  scattered  all 
about  him. 

Outside  the  streets  were  wet  with  blood,  and  fires  lighted 
up  the  sky,  and  all  was  horror  and  confusion. 


ASAPH. 


CHAPTER   XXXVII. 

''THE    PRINCE    OF    PEACE.'' 

THE  Temple  had  been  rebuilt  with  much  pain  and  an 
guish  and  sore  disappointments,  and  the  walls  of  Jerusa 
lem  once  more  shut  in  the  chosen  people  to  worship  the 
great  Jehovah  after  their  own  hearts  and  the  laws  given 
them  by  their  first  leader,  the  great  Moses. 

The  Feast  of  Harvest  had  arrived,  and  all  was  peace  and 
joy  in  dear  Jerusalem. 

At  the  door  of  his  cottage  sat  an  old  man;  his  venerable 
white  beard  reached  far  below  his  waist,  and  the  curls  of 
snow  upon  his  brow  were  like  pale  silver  aureoles  shedding 
their  luster  upon  all  around;  at  his  feet  and  by  his  knees 
his  children  and  children's  children  stood  and  listened  as 
he  told  them  yet  again  the  wondrous  story.  Elia,  still  the 
princess,  leaned  upon  his  shoulder.  Suddenly  his  face  bo- 
came  illuminated,  and  his  voice  became  as  angelic  music  to 
their  ears. 

''  Children,  believe  and  teach  to  our  dear  people  that 
(iod  will  send  His  Son  to  redeem  the  world,  and  there 
shall  thenceforward  be  a  reign  of  peace  and  charity  and 
love;  for  He  that  cometh  shall  be  called  Wonderful,  the 
Lamb  of  God,  the  Prince  of  Peace." 

And  thus  the  gentle  Asaph  fell  asleep. 


JOSHUA. 


A  BIBLICAL  PICTURE,  BY  GEORG  EHKRS. 
CLUTII,  31.00;  PATER,  50  CENTS. 

This  is  a  story  of  the  exodus  of  the  Hebrews  from  the 
land  of  the  Pharoahs,  told  by  a  master  of  German  fiction. 
The  Bible  would  be  better  understood  and  read  by  a  larger 
class  of  leaders  if  there  were  more  such  books  as  Kbers' 

"  Joshua  "  and  Wallace's  '•  Ben  Hur." 

No  writer  of  modern  times  possesses  such  wonderful  power  in  pre 
senting  remote  events  in  sacred  and  secular  history,  as  this  aged  writer. 
— Chicago  Graphic. 

The  reader  in  quest  of  a  new  sensatibn  cannot  do  better  than  devote 
an  evening  to  the  reading  of  "  Joshua."  His  time  will  not  be  wasted. — 
Milwaukee  Sentinel. 

This  m.'vel  is  the  most  valuable  of  the  many  which  Ebers  has 
written. —  Tacoma  Times. 

Ebers  is  one  of  those  exact  and  laborious  historical  novelists  who 
bring  to  their  aid  the  treasures  of  history,  the  light  of  modern  research 
and  the  knowledge  of  peace  only  to  be  found  by  actual  observation. — 
Denver  Ntivs. 

IN  GOD'S  WAY. 

A  NOVEL,  BY  BJORNSTJERNE  BJORNSON. 

CLOTH,  $1.00;  PAPER,  50  CENTS. 
Translated  from  the  Norwegian  by  Elizabeth  Carmichael. 

Bjornson's  novels  are  peculiar  in  style  and  marked  by 
a  Norwegian  atmosphere  which  is  at  once  unique  and 
delightful,  while  possessing  all  the  thrilling  interest  of  the 
novel,  "In  God's  Way"  has  also  the  additional  charm  of 
an  elevating  moral  tone  for  which  the  works  of  Bjornson 

are  noted. 

"  here  is  an  impressiveness  about  the  pages  that  produces  a  wonder 
ful  effect  upon  the  reader.  We  have  not  read  a  more  powerful  book  in 
a  long  time. — Memphis  Commercial. 

There  are  descriptions  which  certainly  belong  to  the  best  and 
cleverest  things  our  literature  ever  produced.  It  would  be  difficult  to 
find  anything  more  tender,  soft  and  refined. — London  Atheturum. 

It  is  vigorous,  terse  and  attractive  in  style,  and  strong  in  character 
drawing. — Literary  World. 

The  story  is  one  of  interest  and  eloquence  both  in  studies  of  char 
acter  and  descriptions. —  The  Critic. 

All  should  read  this  writer's  works,  and  whoever  misses  them 
passes  gems. —  Western  Banner. 

F<>r  Sale  by  all  Booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price,  by  the  Publishers, 
UNITED  STATES   BOCK  COMPANY. 

JOHN   W.    L O V E L L    COMPANY 

p.  O.  Box,  1992.  150  WORTH  STREET,  NEW  YORK. 


THE  TWO  BROTHERS, 

(PIERRE  ET  JEAN.) 

]Jv    GUV    DE    MAUPASSANT. 

Translated  from  the  French  by  CLARA  BELL. 

CLOTH,  j?i.oo;  PAPER,  50  CENTS. 

Illustrated  u'ith  eight  fine  J  nil  f  age  illustrations  from  tht  original  French 

edition. 

"  It  is  a  deeply  moving  story,  and  as  perfect  in  form  as  anything  ever 
written  in  French  prose." — Boston  J'ost. 

"  It  is  a  book  that  can  be  safely  recommended  to  all  lovers  of  good, 
light  literature." — Home  Journal. 

"  The  book  is  charming,  full  cf  esprit,  and  reveals  the  master  in  the 
handling  of  a  theme  which,  in  other  hands,  would  be  hardly  possible." — 
Chicago  Globe. 

"This  novel  commands  admiration  by  the  exquisite  simplicity  of  its 
style  and  its  artistic  treatment  as  well  as  its  touching  story." — Springfield 
Republican, 


THE  CHIEF  JUSTICE, 

T-Y  KARL  EMIL  FRANZOS. 

Translated  from  the  French  by  MILKS  CORBET. 

CLOTH,  $1.00;  PAPF.R,  50  CENTS. 


"The  'Chief  Justice*  is  a  strong  and  admirable  portrait,  and  it  is 
to  be  hoped  that  other  novels  by  the  same  author  will  soon  be  translated." 
— Boston  Herald. 

"  Ts  a  powerful  and  brilliant  story,  masterly  in  its  delineation  of 
character,  and  remarkable  in  the  fine  skill  with  which  the  stirring  inci 
dents  are  worked  up  to  their  tragic  climax." — Boston  Gazette. 

"  The  '  Chief  Justice  '  amply  sustains  the  high  opinion  already 
formed  of  the  author's  strength  in  fiction.  It  is,  indeed,  a  vigorous 
and  virile  tale,  whose  ethos  is  mighty  and  profound." — Christian  L'nion. 

"  Mr.  Gladstone,  who  has  made  the  fortune  of  more  than  one  book, 
reviewed  it  with  the  most  enthusiastic  praise,  and  critics  everywhere 
bestowed  the  highest  encomiums  upon  it." — Albany  Argns, 


BY   WHOSE   HAND  ? 

The  newspapers  of  the  country  have  been  universally  commendatory 
in  reviewing  this  excellent  story  by 

EDITH   SESSIONS  TUPPER 

The  author  is  a  lady  of  refinement  and  culture,  and  while  she  lays 
aside  her  personal  identity  in  the  telling  of  her  story,  the  atmosphere  of 
the  author's  personality  is  suggested  by  the  rhetorical  finish  and  the 
daintiness  of  conception  in  constructing  the  plot.  The  story  is  just 
the  right  length  for  an  evening's  reading,  and  bound  in  the  same 
volume  is  the  CHICAGO  HERALD'S  PRIZE  STORY, 

BY   A    HAIR'S    BREADTH 

BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR,  EDITH  SESSIONS  TUPPER 

which  in   slightly  different   vein   is    equally  attractive  and   is  also   of 
sufficient  length  to  afford  an  evening's  entertainment. 

American  Authors'  Series,  Cloth,  $1.00;  paper,  50  cents. 


OUT   OF   THE  NIGHT 

BY   H.  W.  FRENCH 

This  novel  is  one  which  possesses  a  peculiar  charm  for  artists,  and, 
in  fact,  for  all  artistic  temperaments. 

It  is  idealistic  in  tone  and  while  it  is  realistic  in  its  diction  it  has 
none  of  the  realism  which  is  known  as  such  in  current  fiction. 

There  is  not  a  tiresome  line  in  the  entire  book.  The  interest  in 
the  characters  never  flags,  and  the  Jine  of  thought  pursued  is  continually 
suggestive  of  speculative  meditation  on  the  part  of  the  reader. 

Two  artistic  natures  love  in  early  youth,  and  are  parted  by  circum 
stances,  one  to  make  a  career  as  a  singer,  the  other  as  a  painter. 

The  early  love  with  its  effect  upon  the  lives  of  the  leading  charac 
ters  forms  the  motive  for  the  story,  around  which  the  minute  details  of 
the  lives  are  woven  with  consummate  skill. 

Cloth,  gilt,  #1.00;  paper,  50  cents.     American  Authors' Series. 
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IT  HAPPENED  THIS  WAY 

BY 

ROSE  EYTINGE  AND  S.  ADA  FISHER. 


Full  of  incident  and  brightly  told. — Press. 

The  reader  is  taken  from  London  to  New  York  and  from  New 
York  back  to  London,  and  one  seems  to  be  taking  the  voyage  with  the 
characters  so  naturally  does  it  all  occur. —  Times. 

There  is  absolutely  no  determining  what  the  denouement  will  be  until 
the  last  chapter  is  readied.  The  situations  are  clever  and  the  book  is 
full  of  surprises. — Argus, 

It  is  a  work  which  no  one  can  read  and  lay  aside  with  the  feeling 
that  time  has  been  wasted. 

Stage  life  is  naturally  and  faithfully  painted  and  the  general  trend 
of  the  story  points  to  a  higher  ideal  of  the  dramatic  profession  than 
that  entertained  by  the  average  writer. — Journal. 

Cloth,  $1.00;  paper,  50  cents.     American  Authors'  Series. 


ON  THE  HEIGHTS  OF  HIMALAY 

BY  A.  VAN  DER  NAILLEN. 

Those  who,  from  association  or  from  literary  research,  have 
experienced  a  newly  awakened  interest  in  occult  subjects  make  a  mis 
take  in  buying  for  perusal  at  once  the  works  of  men  and  women  who 
cater  to  the  advanced  student  of  theosophic  thought.  A  work  such  as 
the  one  Mr.  Van  der  Naillen  has  supplied,  forms  a  stepping  stone  to 
the  deeper  and  heavier  works,  and  makes  the  proper  understanding  of 
them  possible. 

With  enough  romance  to  prevent  the  mind  from  wearying,  enough 
of  Eastern  mysticism  to  cater  to  one's  ideas  of  oriental  customs,  and 
enough  of  the  marvellous  to  fascinate,  the  work  leaves  an  impression 
not  easily  effaced. 

However  much  or  little  of  the  incident  may  be  true,  does  not 
matter.  The  philosophy  which  enlightens  and  ennobles  is  there,  and  a. 
careful  study  of  the  characters  cannot  result  otherwise  than  in  the 
desire  to  emulate  the  purity  of  their  lives  and  the  loftiness  of  their 
ambitions. 

Cloth,  gilt,  Si.oo  ;  paper,  50  cents.     American  Novelists'  Series. 

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Prose    Dramas  of   Henrik   Ibsen. 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 

PRICE  PER  VOLUME,  CLOTH,  $1.00;  TAPER,  50  CENTS. 
With  Critical  and  Biographical  introduction  by  EDMUND  GOSSE. 


PART  I.— Containing  :  "A  DOLL'S  HOUSE,"  "TiiE  PILLARS  ov  SOCIETY," 

"GHOSTS,"  "ROTHMERSHOLM." 

PART  II. — Containing:  "TiiE  LADY  FROM  THE  SEA,"  "AN  ENEMY  <>E 
SOCIETY."  "THE  WILD  DUCK,"  AND  "THE  YOUNG  MEN'S 
LEAGUE." 

There  is  a  deep  and  solemn  tone  running  through  all  these  dramas, 
as  though  the  author  were  saying,  like  Hamlet,  that  the  times  were 
out  of  joint;  but  he  does  not  admit  that  it  is  his  duty  or  mission  to 
set  them  right.  He  takes  things  as  he  finds  them,  and  in  consequence 
his  plays,  without  being  immoral,  may  be  characterized  with  propriety 
as  unmoral.  The  plays  should  be  read  and  studied,  not  merely  because 
of  their  novelty  but  for  the  sake  of  the  philosophy  which  they  contain, 
and  to  grasp  the  ideas  of  an  author  who  isundoubtedly  a  man  of  genius. 

It  is  not  easy  to  classify  these  dramas,  although  they  fall  naturally 
into  a  single  class.  They  differ  materially  from  most  modern  plays, 
chiefly  because  there  is  no  artificiality  about  them.  They  are  hard, 
stern  and  even  cruel  in  their  portraiture  of  human  passion  and  human 
weakness.  Ibsen  has  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  and  does  not 
shrink  from  depicting  what  he  believes  to  be  the  natural  consequences 
of  human  conduct. 

NOTICES   FROM   THE   PRESS. 

"  America  has  lagged  a  long  way  behind  Europe  in  realizing  that  the 
Norwegian  dramatist,  Ibsen,  is  a  genius.  But  having  at  last  discovered 
that  the  rest  of  the  world  considers  him  a  great  writer,  we  seem  to 
have  determined  to  make  up  for  being  belated  by  now  talking  a  great 
deal  about  him." —  The  Nation. 

"There  is  a  deal  of  power  in  Ibsen." — N.  Y.  Mail  and  Express. 

"They  are  sombre  and  sad,  but  powerfully  conceived  and  written> 
and  decidedly  worth  reading." — New  York  Sun. 

"The  interest  of  the  Christian  Union  in  Ibsen  antidates  the  recent 
development  of  popular  interest  in  this  country  and  we  have  already  said 
so  much  about  him  that  it  is  unnecessary  at  this  time  to  characterize 
him  further." — Christian  Union. 

"  Few  if  any,  male  writers  have  given  us  so  true  or  so  high  a  concep 
tion  of  womanhood  as  does  Ibsen." — Religio  Philos.  Journal. 

"  To  read  him  is  the  latest  "craze"  in  the  literary  and  semi-literary 
worlds. " — Public  Opinion. 

'•  What  is  called  the  Ibsen  craze  is  still  abroad."—  Com'1 1  Gazelle, 
Cincinnati. 

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WORKS   OF 

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'Rickshaw,"  issued  in  America  with  the  sanction  of  the  author. 

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We  have  just  issued  under  the  authorization  of  Rudyard  Kipling,  a 
volume  of  poems,  which  contains  "  Departmental  Ditties,"  "  liarrack 
Room  Ballads,"  and  a  collection  of  Kipling's  fugitive  verses,  which  he 
has  recently  arranged  for  this  volume.  This  is  the  first  edition  of  Kip 
ling's  poetical  writings  issued  in  this  country.  The  press  universally  praise 
his  poetical  work,  the  style  of  which  is  crisp,  terse,  witty  and  entertaining. 

IN    I'RESS   HY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR. 

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"  The  masterly  force  and  grasp  of  the  author  are  plainly  evident." — 
ft.  O.  States, 

"  The  style  of  the  writer  is  original,  vigorous  and  clean  cut." — 
Chicago  Herald. 

"  His  story  is  always  original,  often  startling,  sometimes  tragic  to  a 
degree." — Christian  Union. 

*  *  *  Whose  stories  are  told  with  an  amiable  egotism,  infectious 
humor,  and  in  a  picturesque  dialect  that  will  send  his  name  ringing  down 
to  posterity. — Lcn'isville  Courier  Journal* 

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fit  tbC  WallCE  Of  "fcavtlab.   -    BY  FREDERICK  THICKSTUN  CLARK 


Mr.  Clarke's  style  is  a  new  departure  in  the  line  of  fiction. 
There  is  not  a  lady  or  a  gentleman  in  the  story,  in  the  "  society  " 
acceptation  of  the  terms  ;  the  surroundings  are  as  rugged  as  the 
instincts  of  the  characters,  and  yet  the  story  reads  like  a.  beautiful 
prose  poem.  The  atmosphere  is  delightful,  and  one  lays  down  the 
book  with  the  sense  of  having  been  mentally  refreshed  and  invigo. 
rated.  It  is  a  charming  story. 

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a  /Magnetic  /Ran.      .....     BY  E.  s.  VAN  ZILE 

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stories.  They  are  really  condensed  novels.  His  style  is  crisp  with 
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dramatic  without  being  forced. 

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SfSter'6  tWSbanO.      -  -      BY  PATIENCE  STAPLETON 


The  author  has  made  the  plot  of  "My  Sister's  Husband" 
more  intricate  than  that  of  her  stories  generally.  It  is  one  of  those 
books  which  gains  strong  friends  for  the  writer,  but  is  so  marked 
in  its  character  that  it  also  makes  enemies. 

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JRJSS  JftargtOn.  BY  L-  IL  BICKFORD 


A  delightful  story  for  Summer  reading;  beginning  in  France 
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States;  its  general  tone  changing  with  the  locality. 


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By  F.  W.  ROBINSON 

A  work  in  which  the  author  has  shown  how  a  tnily  Christian 
spirit  will  at  last  break  clown  the  barriers  that  rise  between  the 
humble  and  high,  and  how  truth  may  triumph  over  prejudice  and 
stride  toward  the  goal  of  equality,  with  the  rich  and  poor  on  either 
hand. 

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CcrntOS.        -  -    By  GERTRUDE  FRANKLIN  ATHERTON 

A  delightful  story  which  is  redolent  with  the  atmosphere  of 
Southern  California. 

Carmei'ta,  the  heroine,  with  htr  Mexican  impetuosity,  affords 
ample  opportunity  for  dramatic  effects,  and  the  idyllic  life  of  the 
land  of  the  red-woods  offers  a  most  attractive  background.  The 
author's  versatility  has  won  for  her  a  well-deserved  popularity. 

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B  Dcrg  Strange  ffamil£.  %  F.  \v.  ROIUNSON 

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different  authorship  from  "  Our  Erring  Brother." 

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3BlQg60m  an£>  tbc  ffruit.       -       -       BY  MABEL  COLLINI 


This  work  is  a  revelation  to  readers  of  occult  literature,  li  i; 
somewhat  obscure  to  those  who  have  given  no  thought  to  occult 
matters,  bvt  to  all  the  story  is  one  of  profound  interest,  and  or  -; 
feels,  on  laying  down  the  book,  that  the  moral  nature  has  been  re 
freshed  by  a  draught  of  water. 

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11(3.     ipnilCCSS  Sungblnc  BY  MRS.  J.  II.  RIDDEI.L 

This  last  novel  by  this  popular  authoress,  among  the  recent 
issues  in  Lovell's  International  Series,  fully  sustains  the  character 
of  this,  the  most  popular  series  of  novels  ever  published. 

Mrs.  Riddell  is  a  very  clever  woman,  and  she  puts  "brains"  into 
all  her  work.  "  Princess  Sunshine"  is  full  of  attractiveness.  The 
heroine  is  charming  and  the  family  life  of  the  Gifford's  is  capitally 
sketched. —  Charleston  News. 

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1 1 7.  Sloane  Square  Scan&al  BY  ANNIE  THOMAS 

She  tells  a  trivial  story  very  well,  and  draws  men  and  women 
of  the  purely  conventional  sort  with  considerable  skill. — News, 
Charleston. 

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1 1 8.  ftbe  yiiflbt  of  tbe  3r&  "gilt.  BY  H.  F.  WOOD 

An  exceedingly  interesting  story  of  London  life,  with  strongly 
marked  and  well  drawn  characters,  and  pleasing  dialogue,  which, 
combined  with  the  interest  of  a  well  laid  plot,  make  it  one  of  the 
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1 1 9.  Quite  Bnotbcr  Storg  BY  JKAN  LNGELOW 

It  is  not  generally  known  that  Jean  Ingelow,  whose  poetry  has 
found  an  echoing  chord  in  almost  every  heart  among  the  English- 
speaking  race,  is  still  living  in  England,  a  delightful,  white-haired 
old  lady,  who  is  still  engaged  in  literary  pursuits.  The  John  W. 
Lovell  Co.  have  issued,  by  special  arrangement  with  her,  a  volume 
entitled  "  Quite  Another  Story,"  the  tone  of  which  is  quite  in  accord 
with  her  delightful  poems,  and  which  must  be  read  to  be  thor 
oughly  appreciated. 

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120.     t)Cart  Of  (3ol&  iW  1_.  i'.  MEADE 


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121.  tlbe  "CdorD  and  Ebe  lUill  -  BY  JAMES  PAYN 

One  of  the  most  prolific  writers  in  the  literary  life  of  London  is 
James  Payn.  Almost  every  year  chronicles  a  new  book  from  his 
pen,  but  rapidity  of  execution  with  him  does  not  mean  want  of  care 
for  the  merit  of  the  production.  He  is  a  writer  of  most  excellent 
English,  which  it  is  a  pleasure  to  read,  aside  from  the  interest 
aroused  by  the  plot  of  his  stories. 

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122.  IDumpS  •  •         BY  MRS.  LOUISA  PARR 


A  healthy,  interesting  and  well-told  story,  easy  to  read  and 
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novels  of  the  present  day. 

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124.     CbC  Great  flMll  Street  flftggterg   BY  ADKLINE  SERGEANT 


"The  Great  Mill  St.  Mystery,"  by  Adeline  Sargeant,  is  a  story 
which  holds  the  readers  interest  until  the  end,  a  sort  of  old-fash 
ioned  story  with  an  elaborate  plot,  plenty  of  incident  and  entertain 
ing  conversation.  —  Omaha  Excelsior. 

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125.     JBetWCen  XlfC  anfr  IDcatb  BY  FRANK  BARRETT 


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